So You Want To Be A Chick Magnet...

             Arrival of the Cluckers             

Bringing home chicks is an incredible feeling. You see these cute, balls of floof. They have tiny little voices and you just want to cuddle them. However, they have different ideas.

Chickens are prey animals. They are not naturally cuddly or trusting. You have to build those relationships with your birds. When you get your chicks home from wherever you got them, give them some space. They will be tired and scared. 

I've found that working with prey animals is very different than working with predators. I've done a lot with horses and their mindset is so different than that of a dog or a cat. Dogs and cats are considered predators and while they aren't the apex predators, they have different views on how they would like to be approached. So onto chicks.

Snuggling Sweet Camilla

When you pick a chick up try to approach them from the front and at their level. Picking a chick up from above, makes them panic and it feels like a predator attack. It's scary to them. It's fast and unexpected. I've found with my girls that it was easier to slowly approach from the front where they could see me. I would cradle them with my hand and support their feet. Be very aware of their air sacs, those basically surround their chest area. You don't want to squeeze them, you can still have a firm, supportive hold without squeezing. Make sure if you have children, they know about this. Chicks are very fragile. The first few days, they were scared no matter how I approached them. I found it was better to sit down and let them approach me. Chicks are curious. Once they figured out I wasn't a threat they were more than happy to sit on my lap.

               Chick Pile!               
             

Now I am a crazy chicken lady. I have full blown conversations with my girls. I sing to them, they hear my voice all the time. This was important during their formative weeks. I made sure that they knew my laugh and that I wasn't "quiet" around them all the time. This helped them get to know me and they respond to different vocal calls that I do. I started all of this with talking to the girls. 

That was only the beginning. I would hold my hand out for them to approach. To make my hand seem more exciting, I used chick starter as my treat. As they became more comfortable, I try to approach petting them. When they would freak out, I would stop and go back to staying still and not approaching. The girls found quickly that I was warm and would snuggle. 

The look of Chicken Love!

As my girls got older, the pin feathers started to take over from the chick down. Poor things. Pin feathers are full of blood and are very sensitive. You have to be very gentle when handling chicks (and molting chickens) who have pin feathers. Always pet chickens in the direction of their feathers, you don't want to ruffle them, because it can be painful or unpleasant to the chook. The more they associate nice things with you, the more they will want to be around you.

Luna and Artemis approaching me,  
not the other way around.

I will say that there are so many benefits to handling your birds. The relationships you build will be like no other. My big worry was "OMG what if there is an issue and I can't catch my bird or me handling them will cause more stress or more injury". Handling an animal and building that trust is key when it comes to an emergency. I love hearing the gentle purrs of my girls and when they jump onto my lap it's magic. Each bird and each breed is very different. I've heard that
Golden Comets (hybrids) are down right cuddly, I've heard that they are aloof. My neighbor has Orpingtons and they have no interest in cuddling. Apparently, that's a breed that many find to be very cuddly. My Luna, who is Copper Marans x Cream Legbar, wants very little to do with me. She will tolerate a cuddle or a pet but I wouldn't go so far as to say she overly enjoys it. Artemis, my legbar, LOVES to be held and snuggled. Legbars are known to be less than friendly and skittish at times. Princess Leia hands out hugs and cuddles to anyone who will sit with her. So cuddly chickens are based on nurturing that and the temperament of the bird. 

The biggest take away from all of this is spend time with your birds. They will enjoy your company as much as you enjoy theirs. Handle your birds enough so they are comfortable with you handling them in an emergency. Enjoy this experience, it is unlike any other! It's addictive and wonderful. Take joy in the entire process.  

As always, if you have questions feel free to email us: covidcluckers@gmail.com

Got Chicks? Simple Advice for the New Chicken Tender!

 When I first considered the idea of chickens, I put in so much research. Hours upon hours of searching google, reading books, reading blogs, reading Facebook groups. It was too much. 

There is so much to learn about chicks and chickens and everyone has an opinion. Here's a fact for you. Until you actually have the chicks in front of you, you honestly will know nothing. So here's a few things to keep in mind.

1.Laws and Regulations-

Know your laws and ordinances. Don't have contraband chickens. It wrecks it for the law abiding citizen. Check your HOA, your city, your county, and your state laws. Ignorance will be no excuse in the long run. If you aren't allowed roosters, this will help you pick your chicken breeds. If you aren't allowed roosters, you need a plan for them if you choose to get a breed that might risk having one.

2. The Brooder- 

I used a dog crate. Some people use boxes, some people use plastic tubs (be careful with these as they can bother a chick's respiratory functions with hot plastic). If I was to do it again I would definitely change some things. I'd get a bigger brooder. When the girls were 8 weeks...they were too big for the space they were in. I'm lucky, they got along great! But bigger is better. 

Heat Source-I used a heat lamp. I know shame shame. There's nothing wrong with using a heat lamp as long as you are aware of it and pay attention to it at all times. I was home due to covid. I was in the bathroom where the chicks were growing all the time, just staring at the chicks. I was well aware of the heat lamp. I would probably do a brooder plate next go around though. 

Bedding- I used pine shavings. I highly recommend this. They stay warm, the chicks can dig and play in them and have enough traction to avoid splay legs. I don't recommend sand for chicks. They will need to be cleaned constantly and sand is a real hassle to clean inside. Please don't use newspaper or paper towels. You can get leg issues this way due to lack of traction. Also newspaper is gross when pooped on and paper towels are so expensive (and hard to find still!)

2. Feed

Medicated feed verses Unmedicated feed- 

If your chicks were vaccinated for coccidiosis, you don't need to feed them medicated feed. Medicated feed can cause them to lose the immunity from their vaccine. If they weren't vaccinated, you can go for medicated feed. If you have a hen with your chicks, you will want to use a flock raiser or all flock feed with oyster shells on the side. Hens should not have medicated chick feed. 

Grit-chicks don't need grit if being fed chick starter. You don't really need grit until they are starting to peck at grass and eating things other than their feed. 

3. Vaccines and Biosecurity

    Please if you have the option, get your chicks vaccinated for Marek's. They have to be vaccinated for     this in the first 48 hours of life. 

    Everyone, and I mean everyone, will want to come by and see those tiny peeps. Be aware of                 biosecurity. Be paranoid. Don't allow people to wear the clothes and shoes they've had on in a farm        store around your chicks. Make sure there is plenty of handwashing. 

    

4. Resources

    Buy the following books (I've included links to our Amazon Storefront)

    Gail Damerow's Chicken Health Handbook

    The Chicken Chick's Guide to Backyard Chickens

    Wilma The Wonder Hen's Podcast 

    Join our Instagram Chicken Community. There are a lot of us out there willing to help and give solid advice.