Backyard Chickens – Week 3

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It’s been about three weeks since we got our chicks and started on our Backyard Chicken adventure. They are growing fast! I’m guessing that the chicks were at least one week old when we got them because they have almost completely feathered out! Only their heads are still downy. Friends, they are using those feathers to fly outside of their brooder, too, bringing much excitement around the house. They’re almost ready to head outside to their coop and yard.

It’s been pretty funny attempting to keep the chicks occupied. The kids have been working on playing with the chicks to create a bond and make them easier to manage and gather eggs. While none seem all that interested in playing Minecraft, they have become partial to watching The Disney Channel. The Easter Eggers love to ride on shoulders and peck at hair. We’ve also been scrambling to find other things to keep them occupied during the day… and night. 

Chicken Toys

After doing quite a lot of research online and talking to experienced chicken owners, I’ve been adding a few things after moving them to an enlarged brooder.  One of the first things was a dust bath.  Basically a small plate with dirt and a bit of Diatomaceous Earth – food grade mixed in. (Use a 2:1 mixture). They took to it like babies to the bathtub, with lots of shaking and dancing around. I put in a short stick to mimic a roost. Chickens love to roost and having a simple one helps the chicks to learn all about them. I’ve also been taking clumps of sod with a bit of dirt from the yard and putting them in with the chicks.

They love to eat the grass and the dirt helps with digestion. It also introduces the chicks to our local germs in small doses. I also read in several different places to hang a small mirror for chicks to interact with… the Easter Eggers love it so much, the chicks actually push each other out of the way to stand in front of it. A friend also recommended giving them a few strands of spaghetti to play with; the chicks like to grab the strands and run around with them like they are worms. Her kids dubbed the scene as “chicken football.” I can’t wait to see that!

Want to start at the beginning of our adventure with Backyard Chickens? Click here for the beginning.

Continue on the adventure! Click here for Week 5!

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