We've made the round brooder bigger, and we're going to remove the round walling today or tomorrow so they have more space - enough to fit in a seed-tray sized dust bath.
I've been under the weather for a couple of weeks, but I've ensured that they each get picked up at least twice a day. Normally I pick up 6 at a time and put them in a trug with some food, then pick up and stroke each one. Then I get the other six out.
Here are the 6 Leghorn. One of themhas a broken toe, so I need to see if its possible to splint it (although I think its too late)Still no idea on sex. We have 3 yellow partridge, and 3 silver duckwing. Number 8, the chick I htought wasn't going to make it, is one of the yellow partridge ones.
All 12 chicks are coping with being picked up and stroked, but it wouldn't be correct to say they are happy with it. They are happy to eat the delicious Garvo Alfastart while they are stroked, so that's all good progress.
The leghorns are more tolerant than the Barnevelders. They are also the ones who watch us when we walk in, their little owl-like faces look up and watch carefully.
One of them is particularly cheeky, and s/he's the reason we're removing the circle and putting up the taller barriers.This picture was after the leghorns had been put back in the run, and I was collecting the barnevelders and putting them in the tub. The leghorn wanted back to the tub that had the special treats in.
Can you see the two leghorns in the background? That's what I mean abou their owl-like faces watching us.
