Our two little cockerels arrived today. I have them in a circle of rat-wire, partly under the existing heat lamp so they share with the week-old pullets, plus a smaller second heat lamp for them (it's supposed to be wet and cool the next few days, so I figured they'd better have a little extra).
After driving to the feed store, I had a long walk up our drive, which just got its topcoat of paving today (so couldn't drive on it) with the little ones wailing all the way... They were so worn out they just stood in their little pen with their eyes shut, swaying drunkenly, too tired to even lie down! Meanwhile the girls all stood outside the wire, staring in--whether at the two newcomers or at the out-of-reach food arrangements, I'm not sure! But the little ones perked up after a while. They seem to want to snuggle up against the wire, as close as they can get to the older ones.
I guess it was a good decision to separate them for a while... there seem to be a few chest-to-chest dominance squabbles going on amongst the girls, which would have been a bit rough for the new chicks.
Rhonda
Sidesaddle Hall of Famer
Five-time US National Sidesaddle Champion
CHICKENS-101@yahoogroups.com
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