Category Archives: Backyard Chickens

Week Old Chicks

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The chicks are about a week and a half old now. They grow super fast. They are already trying to fly out of the box. They’ve grown feathers on their wings and tails and the rest is filling in too. It’s fun to watch them grow and change.They are a little hardier too, so I am not as worried about them. As they grow feathers they are not as vulnerable to chills.

One day when it was really warm in the room when they were just a couple days old, I turned off the heat lamp for a little while. When I returned they were all huddled together, and one was in the water dish shivering. I had to hold her and fluff her up under the heat lamp to get her back feeling good. I was scared there for a moment! But everything’s good now and I am not quite as concerned. Each day they are a little stronger and more independent. Right now, they are peeping contentedly behind me.

Just thought you might like a “little” chick update.


Hanging out in their box under the heat lamp


Britton holding them

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Out with the Old…

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Well, old Omelette  is gone. She was our first ever chicken here at the old homestead. We got her and Black Chicken and together they were Salt and Pepper. Pepper died so we renamed “Salt” to Omelette. She was an ornery old chicken and we never were able to hold her or pet her since she was not hand raised. She never trusted us or really even came close to us, but everyone lived harmoniously. She is even the chicken on the header of this website!

But ever since she started laying strange, shell-less eggs, then stopped laying completely, and finally being mean and broody on a nest of unfertilized eggs, we decided she was ready for a new home. We posted an ad on Craigslist and found a home where chickens like her can live out the rest of their days on a farm scratching around.

The person even told us to come visit the farm and see her there. You never know if they are actually going to eat her, but that is always a valid option. I eat meat, I even eat chickens. I just haven’t gotten up to the actual killing part. So this worked out really well.

…And in with the New!

Britton said if we got rid of her that we could get some new chicks. That was another motivating factor. We thought we would just get 2 more, but the first store didn’t have any Ameraucanas/Americanas, so now we have three! They are so sweet.We have a Barred Plymouth Rock, another Leghorn (Omelette 2), and the Ameraucana. Take a look!


The three chicks on a chair


Two in a bowl -Yin Yang -esque


One miniature Omelette

 

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Broody? Or Just an Angry Chicken?

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We are not really sure what is up with Omelette our white Leghorn chicken. She is really old, hardly lays eggs anymore and has recently started to just sit in the nesting area all day long, even at night when she usually would sit on the stick. When we go to get the eggs of the other chickens, she is sitting on them. She doesn’t seem to know or care that there is no rooster around to fertilize them.


Omelette giving me the evil eye

Unlike the other chickens, she won’t let us put our hand underneath her and grab the eggs. She has tried to peck us and fluffs up really big to defend her post. When I finally scare her off the nest she squawks like no other. We are not sure what to do. Do old chickens decide they want to go broody? Or is she just getting old and demented?

We would like to get some new chicks to replace her, but I don’t think we could catch her without her screaming her head off. She’s always been a little skittish ever since we got her. Any recommendations or ideas?

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Where to Buy Baby Chicks in Greeley area

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We have been asked a few times where to buy baby chicks in the Greeley and Northern Colorado area. This is the list that we know of so far. I’ll add to it as I find others. If you see a place that is a feed store, a ranch supply store, or a mercantile of some sort, it might be good to stop in. Most of the time you can only find baby chicks in spring time around this area. For full-grown birds, check the Foco craigslist out. I would call these places first before driving over, especially if you are looking for a certain breed of baby chicks.

If you are planning on buying more than 5 or so, you should probably order direct from the hatchery (like McMurrays or Welp, etc). They will deliver the day-old chicks direct to you through the post office, but be sure to pick them up right away.

J+T Feeds -6380 W 10th St # 1, Greeley – (970) 378-0240

Country Corner – 843 27th Street Place – (970) 351-0868

Poulsen Ace Hardware – 151 S. Oak Ave, Eaton, CO 80615

Jax Mercantile – 950 East Eisenhower Boulevard, Loveland (970) 776-4540

Bomgaars -3720 Draft Horse Drive Loveland CO 80538 (970) 593-6283

Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply 2255 N. Main St. Longmont, CO 80501 (303) 682-5111

Ranchway Feeds 546 Willow Street Fort Collins, CO 80524-2442 (970) 482-1662

Poudre Pet and Supply 622 North College Avenue, Fort Collins – (970) 482-2741

Jax Ranch and Home 1000 N US Highway 287, Fort Collins – (970) 484-2221

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