Enjoying watching my young girls grow

[Desert chicken tender]

I've only had my three Orpington girls a couple of weeks. They are doing well, and growing so fast! I do believe they have doubled in size already.

They were five weeks old when I brought them home. The first few days they just hung out in the coop and didn't venture outside.

Once they found their way out into the run that became their favorite place. Like typical kids, I have to make them go back into the coop to bed down for the night. From the reading I've done on this forum, they will eventually get into the routine of cooping up at night, but not yet. They still just want to gather outside at sundown.

After only a couple weeks they have grown a lot. I'd swear they have doubled in size, and are gaining more "adult" feathers. They are eating well, active, curious all the time. Their favorite "treat" is when I add a little water to some crumble on a plate. "Trixie"(the only one with a name so far), always has to stand in the plate.

It's fun watching them explore and grow and we're just getting started..

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

AHH THEY'RE SO CUTE

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Cute and fun! Glad you're enjoying it. I get 3 chicks every spring because I really enjoy it. Did you say Orpington's ? I see feather feet....... ?

 

[Desert chicken tender]

Cute and fun! Glad you're enjoying it. I get 3 chicks every spring because I really enjoy it. Did you say Orpington's ? I see feather feet....... ?

I was told they were orpingtons. I noticed the feathered feet on the two grey birds. Does that indicate a different breed?

 

[Desert chicken tender]

I was told they were orpingtons. I noticed the feathered feet on the two grey birds. Does that indicate a different breed?

Just looked them up. Bantams maybe?

 

[SandyRiverChick]

Just looked them up. Bantams maybe?

It'll be telling when they get older, whether they are full sized Orps with "stubs," or bantams with feathers. OR not purebred Orps. Did you get them from a Hatchery? What colors do you have? I have a Chocolate Orp baby, first time with this color so I'm excited to see (her,) grow. I've had many Lavenders (my avatar is a pullet and cockeral,) and Buff. Here's a pic of "Chaka." lol

 

[Desert chicken tender]

It'll be telling when they get older, whether they are full sized Orps with "stubs," or bantams with feathers. OR not purebred Orps. Did you get them from a Hatchery? What colors do you have? I have a Chocolate Orp baby, first time with this color so I'm excited to see (her,) grow. I've had many Lavenders (my avatar is a pullet and cockeral,) and Buff. Here's a pic of "Chaka." lol View attachment 4116181

Spoke with the lady I got them from today. Likely cross bred orps with marans, but will get confirmation on that in a day or so.
My darker one looks similar to your little one there.

 

[Desert chicken tender]

My littlest one is showing an irritated bottom this evening. I mixed a very diluted solution of chlorine dioxide and distilled water and lightly sprayed the affected area. Also added 3 ml of ClO2 to their fresh water this evening. Not sure if she's being picked on by the other two or something else, but I'll keep an eye on her.

 

[StinkyAcres]

How old are they? To be honest, all look a little strange to me. They are very stout and long-legged-looking and I'm wondering if it's because their feathers are not as developed as they should be. What has their diet been?

And I think the bird on the right in the last photo is a cockerel.

 

[Desert chicken tender]

How old are they? To be honest, all look a little strange to me. They are very stout and long-legged-looking and I'm wondering if it's because their feathers are not as developed as they should be. What has their diet been?

And I think the bird on the right in the last photo is a cockerel.

They are 7 weeks old. I've been feeding them Nature's Best Organic Chick Starter Crumble. Their analysis states not less than 20% protein. They are growing quite a bit. They were 5 weeks old when they came to me and have more than doubled in size in the last couple weeks.