Little Itty Bitty Chickies

[trystinn]

The call came around 7am, so while Tina went to pick them up at the USPS I drove into town to pick them up at her home. 43 chicks creates quite a bit of heat, thankfully, but one of the smallest of mine was DOA.

I really can't tell them apart at this stage - all I can tell is their basic coloration and whether or not they have feathered feet! For example (roughly smallest to largest in chick size):

Silver Spangled Hamburgs - Light yellow/white, silver/black sides and back, bare feet.
Araucanas - Mustard yellow, black and white stripes on back, bare feet.
Patridge Rocks - Medium brown, whitish chest and dark brown/back head, bare feet.
Silver Laced Wyandottes - Black and yellow speckled, bare feet.
Light Brahmas - Silver Black back with yellow whitish chest, feathered feet.
Blue Cochins - Very large, black/gray backs, white undersides, heavily feathered feet.
Buff Cochins - Very large, yellow white, heavily feathered feet.
Buff Orpingtons - Very fluffy yellow, bare feet.

I'm home with 16 in my brooder, chirping away quietly. McMurrays sent us a few freebie chicks, mine was another Silver Spangled Hamburg. Two more of that similar coloration are struggling, as they were smooshed by the others (they are the smallest of the chicks I ordered). They are nestled in what I'm referring to jokingly as the Boobie Brooder and giving them water via an eye dropper every so often. I've tried to put them back in the brooder now and again, but the others sit on top of them. *sigh* They seems cozy in my cleavage, chirping once in awhile - I just need to make sure they can breathe and they can't smother each other. This is really only possible because I'm not ticklish!

Pictures this evening.

Thank the Goddess for C-cups!

Comments

[unique-thesame.livejournal.com]

Let's just hope they don't need to poop! Poor little things! At least they should be nice and warm. Want a hobavator to keep them warm in? I have 3 - I'd be happy to loan you one for as long as you need it. It's technically an "incubator" but they also work well as a small brooder for little ones.

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure quite what a hobavator is - will it hold 14 or so chicks and keep them at a controlled temperature?

[unique-thesame.livejournal.com]

It should. It's about 36" x 36" square, about 10" tall with a heater in it. It's designed for reptile eggs, which require a specific temp/humidity - but it's flat bottomed, so it would work for small chicks. If you'd like to borrow one (or two), you're welcome to. You can come pick them up or I could see what it takes to ship them to you.

[paprykaspice.livejournal.com]

I would love to come see the cuties this weekend if you wouldn't mind...

[tryst-inn.livejournal.com]

That should work, we'll be working around the yard and house on Saturday. :)