My first chicks (3weeks old) Brood box?

[Eirwen]

Thanks Dinasaw That is the impression I've had from them so far anyway, lots of personality though Looking forward to those eggs from them!

Speaking of- I got my first egg today!! I believe it's from the white sussex. Her comb is nice and red, and the egg colour is quite light. I was surprised as I was sure the blue ranger was going to be first, she was making a racket on Sunday, and going in and out of the nest boxes every 2 mins all day, you could also see her vent contracting. But from what I've heard their eggs are a little darker than the sussex. What do you guys think?

 

[Eirwen]

Here are some photos from the weekend-

 

[dinosaw]

Its a difficult one Eirwen as I have never seen a Bluebelle/Blue Ranger egg, but I would say that the egg is a bit darker than what you would expect from a light sussex who generally lay tinted/extremely light brown eggs so I would say that your first instinct was right and it's a blue ranger. They've wasted no time digging out dust baths I see .

 

[Eirwen]

Thanks Dinosaw, trying to get info on google about exact egg colour is tricky, so your advice much appreciated! I do hope it's the blueranger as she seemed to be trying so hard to get one out! And the noise! They're usually quiet, but she was properly squaking bless her!

I've been surprised at how much they can dig! They have dug around the whole tree, and around every boulder to make dust baths! They have quite a big pen, but a month in and they have dug up nearly half the grass!

We have started letting them have free run of the field at weekends whilst we watch them now, so theycan forage more. They will come back for corn

 

[Eirwen]

Had our second egg, larger this time! From the colour I think from the same hen? We boiled it with our salad this eve, it was a double yoker! Tastyand rich orange/yellow yoke! Yum yum

 

[Marigold]

Lovely healthy happy hens, and beautiful eggs - you've done really well, Eirwen, it was worth all the hard work through the winter.

 

[Eirwen]

Thanks Marigold! Yes it was worth it, although I wouldn't choose to raise chicks in the house at that time of year again! The extra couple of months I had to keep them indoors really was hard work, especially now that I can compare to keeping them outside, which seems a doddle to me now!! I still miss having them indoors in regards to being able to see them and play with them all the time, but at least it gets me out of the house, I just spent 3 hrs outside with them!!

I'm going to post a new thread about eggs now, just had a couple more and have a few questions!

 

[Shitzu]

A little more information would be helpful. What kind of heater? Normally a 60 watt bulb is all that is needed to keep them warm enough when indoors.