Your brooder is more than adequate in size. They will peck at each other - it's part of establishing the pecking order. As long as nobody is bleeding, it's fine. Make sure you are feeding them a quality chick starter feed and make sure they have a hot spot to warm up and a cool spot to cool...
Without knowing the breed, you can't be sure based on comb yet. And even if you did know the breed, sometimes you still can't be sure. I've had pullets that I swore were cockerals at that age (with combs much bigger than yours has). Don't make any hasty decisions yet.
I would take the stuffies out of the coop. They are a potential danger if you chicks peck out and ingest any of the fibers. a coupld of branches will be more than enough entertainment, as long as your brooder is big enough for them to run around in.
Birds and their droppings can carry over 60 diseases
This link above is a quick reference. You can find more info on each by a google search. A family member of one of my mother's friends had kept pigeons for years, and then came down with a lung ailment one day (which he ultimately died...
The advised precautions are basic bio-security!
1. do not free range your birds
2. keep their run covered with something impermeable, like a tarp
3. Have dedicated shoes that you only wear in the coop/run. Keep them in the coop/run and change shoes at the threshold every time.
4. Keep the wild...
Hi All, I work for Penn State Extension, and the Animal Science Team is preparing to set their training curriculum for the next 5 years. If you would take a moment to complete this survey, that would help inform their decisions! Penn State Extension Small Flock Survey (I believe the survey...
It's Hatch Day in the office! I work for Penn State Extension, and out 4-H team is running an embryology in the classroom project - we always set a few extras just in case of catastrophes in the shcools.
they ship out about 24 hours after hatch, take a day or two to get to the store (depending on how far you are from the hatchery). They are supposed to settle in the back overnight before being put out on the floor. So a minimum of 3 days old, but probably closer to 5 by the time they make it...
If Mareks is a concern in your area, then I would recommend keeping your flock confined in a large covered run.
High Path Avian Influenze (HPAI) is currently a problem in my area, so my flock is confined. It is very rare that I let them out of the run, and never during migration season.
Hi, Welcome. I recommend putting your location on your profile. It will help out the people answering any questions you may post (advice for a flock in central PA is different from advice for a flock in central TX :) )
I used a brooder plate last year for the first time. The chicks spend less time under it than you would expect, especially if you are used to a heat lamp. They DO use it though, so don't take it out.
Something to consider: are you tilting one side up higher than the other, and raising it...
I bought myself a present yesterday - a Montmorency Cherry tree. I had a sapling several years ago, and it was really taking off. Then one heavy snow storm, the plow guy plowed right over it :/ I've been wanting a replacement ever since, and I did it this year! I will, however, be planting...