Chickenss

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Got some chickens last night!!! They're in Arnold's room, but he doesn't mind whatsoever. He won't leave them alone, and loves it when they're running around. I don't know if it's normal for bearded dragons to play with chickens, but Arnold sure does! I watched Arnold very carefully to make sure he wasnt stressed, but he just played with the chicken, ate some fod, and watched the chicks lol. when he was done, he climbed up the cat tower to his enclosure, and went back to basking. No puffy or black beard, just happy licks! Heres him after one of the ten chicks claimed him as a couch lol. She follows him around, and he gives her piggyback rides to the bathroom

 

[Tkrd69]

Great photo. What type of chickens are those? I have Easter eggers.

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Great photo. What type of chickens are those? I have Easter eggers.

Thank you! They’re Australorp chicks.

 

[GrannyK]

That’s so cute! Arnold is such a confident guy. And handsome

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

That’s so cute! Arnold is such a confident guy. And handsome

He loves them so much! It’s the cutest thing ever

 

[MissSkittles]

Aww…baby chickens! That is the cutest thing!

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Unfortunately, one of the chicks died

A couple of them got pasty butt (poop gets stuck in there vent, and sticks to them) and from that, one ended up with a prolapsed vent, causing her to loose a lot of weight and pass away yesterday. The rest of the chicks are much better, I’ve cleaned them up and they’re running around playing. Arnold is extremely protective over these chickens, he won’t let anyone touch them without his permission, it’s hilarious! Hopefully the rest continue to get better

 

[Tkrd69]

Give them a few months. Then you should have eggs, I get 6 to 9 a day. Every once in a while I get 14.

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Give them a few months. Then you should have eggs, I get 6 to 9 a day. Every once in a while I get 14.

Do you know if feeding crushed eggshells (when they're older) can help with egg laying? I've heard both good and bad opinions.

 

[MissSkittles]

Unfortunately, one of the chicks died

A couple of them got pasty butt (poop gets stuck in there vent, and sticks to them) and from that, one ended up with a prolapsed vent, causing her to loose a lot of weight and pass away yesterday. The rest of the chicks are much better, I’ve cleaned them up and they’re running around playing. Arnold is extremely protective over these chickens, he won’t let anyone touch them without his permission, it’s hilarious! Hopefully the rest continue to get better

Not sure which reaction to click. Sad that one died, but cute about Arnold being protective.

 

[Tkrd69]

Do you know if feeding crushed eggshells (when they're older) can help with egg laying? I've heard both good and bad opinions.

I grind the shells into powder and mix into the feed to help put calcium back into them.

 

[nightanole]

I grind the shells into powder and mix into the feed to help put calcium back into them.

I have a different technique

 

[Tkrd69]

That works too

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Not sure which reaction to click. Sad that one died, but cute about Arnold being protective.

it’s a mix, I kinda knew she wasn’t going to make it, so I was prepared. She was always isolating herself, so I think she might have been sick when I got her she got some super worms before she passed, and we kept her separated from the others when she got really bad. I got some help some farm friends and they’re having the same problems with their chicks, I think it’s because we had VERY dramatic temperature changes outside recently, and it stressed them out. I’ve been cleaning them off every day, and applying Vaseline to their little booties. It’s seemed to help quite a bit!

 

[Tkrd69]

Are you keeping them warm?

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Are you keeping them warm?

They have a light at one side of the cage, it’s about 85 F when under it, and the other side of the cage is room temperature (about 70 F) a thermometer is at each side of the cage.
Right now they’re all running around and playing! I’ll share another picture when I can

 

[Tkrd69]

Okay, I know baby chicks need a warming light. When full grown they handle cold weather better.

 

[MissSkittles]

They have a light at one side of the cage, it’s about 85 F when under it, and the other side of the cage is room temperature (about 70 F) a thermometer is at each side of the cage.
Right now they’re all running around and playing! I’ll share another picture when I can

Omg! I wanna come over and watch them play and cuddle the sweet fluffies.

 

[Sherbertsmysunshine]

Omg! I wanna come over and watch them play and cuddle the sweet fluffies.

They’d love it!!! Here’s one of the girls that had pasty butt, she’s back to being healthy

And Arnold, watching guard of the little chicks!

 

[Tkrd69]

Throw the babies a piece of popcorn and watch chicken football. So funny to watch.