Chicks Arrive at My Bedford Farm
We have a new flock of fluffy little chicks here at the farm.
As you know, I’ve been raising chickens for many years. Not only do I love keeping them for their fresh, delicious eggs, but I also appreciate their company and their beauty.
As part of good animal husbandry practices, and in order to maintain strong egg laying production, it’s important to regenerate the chicken population from time to time. Over the last couple of weeks, I received two batches of chicks from Traci Torres, the founder of My Pet Chicken. In total, I have 53-rare breed chicks to add to my flock. One group is about three-weeks old, and the other just over a week old, but they will all start laying eggs in about four or five months. For now, they’re nothing less than absolutely adorable. Enjoy these photos.
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- Something is going on down near the chicken yard. My roosters and chickens are very observant.
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- This rooster is especially curious. Roosters are very vigilant of their hens.
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- Just next to the chicken yard are my pigeon lofts. Since this one was not in use, I thought it would be perfect for the chicks.
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- Fernando picked-up the chicks from our friend, Traci Torres, founder of My Pet Chicken. Once they arrived at the farm, Fernando carefully carried the box of chicks to the loft. http://www.mypetchicken.com
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- The inside of the loft was set up just for the chicks. A cardboard brooder protects the chicks from drafts while also providing ample ventilation. The heat lamps are suspended above the brooder. Raising and lowering them will help adjust the temperature.
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- Everyone is always so excited when chicks arrive at the farm. This time, we received 26-rare breed chicks. A couple of weeks ago, we received a group of 27-chicks.
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- This group includes Blue Ameraucanas, Cream Legbars, Ameri-Flowers, Salmon Favs, Fun and Funky, Bantam Cochins and others.
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- This little one is a Salmon Faverolle. When grown, these birds are wonderfully odd-looking, with muffs, a beard, feathered legs and five toes. Salmon is the most commonly available variety of Faverolles.
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- As soon as they’re in the brooder, each chick is introduced to the waterer and feeder, so they know where to eat and drink. They are all familiar with waterers and feeders, but it is still a good practice to show them when they’re moved to new surroundings.
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- Usually after one chick finds the water source, the others will follow. The black chick is an Ameri-Flower – a new designer cross selected for extreme hardiness, and for their gorgeous feathering. And, their large eggs are blue-green! The yellow chick is a Salmon Faverolle.
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- These three chicks – a Blue Ameraucana, a Cream Legbar pullet, and an Ameri-Flower.
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- These chicks all have clear eyes and are very alert – signs of good health.
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- Baby chicks need constant monitoring until they are at least a month old. Dawa checks on them several times a day, and will continue to do so for the next few weeks.
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- In this group, there is a Cream Legbar pullet, an Ameri-Flower, and a Salmon Faverolle. The tiny chick leaning on the feeder is a Bantam Cochin, a breed loved for its sweet personality and fantastic mothering skills.
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- On average, about 10-chicks can consume approximately one-pound of chick starter feed per day. For 53-chicks, that adds up to more than five-pounds of chick starter feed per day.
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- A good chick starter feed will contain protein for weight gain and muscle development, plus vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and to build their immune systems.
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- These chicks have several feeders and several waterers in the brooder. A chick should never have to “wait in line”.
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- The chick laying down is called a Frizzle Naked Neck – an interesting breed combination.
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- Some chick starter crumbles are put down on the newspaper to help introduce the birds to their food and direct them to the feeders.
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- Here is another Salmon Faverolle chick.
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- This is another type of feeder that also allows several chicks to eat at the same time.
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- The chicks will be fed organic chick starter feed for the first six to eight weeks.
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- All birds love to roost, even from a very young age. This Fun and Funky chick is trying to roost on the waterer.
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- The chicks are very eager to explore their new surroundings – another sign of good health.
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- Chickens have their own personalities – some are more active or more curious than others.
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- It’s hard not to notice the large feet, but it won’t take long before these birds grow into them.
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- Chicks grow very fast, so it is important to be prepared with designated living spaces before the chicks arrive.
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- This chick is taking a little break from all the activity around the brooder – many of them are already testing out their wings.
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- I am so happy with this group of babies – they are all strong good eaters, and will be a great addition to my flock.
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- Once the chicks are about five weeks old, they will be moved to a bigger enclosure where they can have access to some outdoor space. This is a view of my chicken yard. I have several coops that are locked tight at night to keep predators out. The top is also netted, making the chicken area very, very safe. Welcome to Cantitoe Corners, little chicks.
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