chicks
chicks on Alektorophobia: a running collection of 12 stories we have gathered and hand-picked because they are worth your time. Every post here touches on chicks in some way — the news, the analysis, the deep dives, and the occasional surprise find. Chickens. Everything there is to know about chickens and the fear of them. New stories are added to this page as we find them, so check back if you want to keep up with what is happening around chicks, or subscribe to the RSS feed to get them as soon as they are published. Browse the collection below, or head back to the homepage to see everything Alektorophobia is covering right now.
Chick Pics
Welcome to Chick Pics, a cluck-tastic corner of Reddit for all things feathered! We're thrilled you've joined our community of chicken enthusiasts—and those still chickening out a little. As a brand new chick owner, navigating the world of Bantam breeds can feel like fowl play, especially when Google leaves you scratching your head. Don't worry, you've come to the right place! Our community thrives on shared experiences, from identifying mystery chicks to tackling tricky situations, like a roaming neighbor’s hen – as seen in /u/Redsgal19's recent post about a wandering chicken. Share your photos and questions; we're here to offer advice, share a laugh, and celebrate the egg-citing journey of chicken ownership. Let's get those breeds identified!
Chicks hatched in garden bed
## Garden Bed Brood Bonanza! Talk about a cluck-tastic surprise! /u/EhlersDanlosSucks recently shared a truly egg-citing story: their hen decided a raised garden bed was the *perfect* spot for a brood. Five eggs and a generous helping of cherry tomatoes were involved – and today, four fluffy chicks emerged! Thankfully, Mom seems to have realized tomatoes aren't exactly hatchable. 😆 This quirky situation highlights the unpredictable nature of our feathered friends. Want to witness chicken antics in real-time? Check out our "Peckington Square Chicken City Livestream 24/7 Cam" for a constant dose of fowl play. It’s a reminder that chicken keeping is full of surprises, and sometimes, those surprises bloom right alongside your veggies!
What breed of chickens are these?
Identifying chicken breeds can be a cluck-tastic challenge, especially when starting with chicks! /u/goldqueen88 is seeking help recognizing their feathered friends, who are currently around 12 weeks old. TSC (That Southern Coop) initially identified the gray chicken with fluffy legs as a Midnight Maran and the black and white one as a Sicilian Buttercup, but they aren’t quite sure. It's a common conundrum – sometimes those little chicks can throw a curveball! If you’ve ever felt confused about chicken identification, you’re not alone; check out /u/johnnysubarashi’s “So confused” post for a relatable experience. Can you lend a hand in identifying these beauties? Share your breed guesses in the comments below!
Mystery Chicks
## Unraveling Your Mystery Chicks! Got a cluck-tastic conundrum? You're not alone! Many chicken keepers find themselves puzzling over the identities of their new feathered friends, especially when sourced from places like Tractor Supply. /u/Sudden-Music29 is seeking our community’s expertise in identifying four young chicks exhibiting creamy white down, yellow legs and beaks, four toes, and distinctive gray head spots. One chick stands out with more white and less patterning than the others. With pea or straight combs (still developing!), and gray wing/tail markings, these chicks present a fascinating puzzle. Let's put our collective chicken knowledge to work and crack this case! For a similar exploration of identifying unique breeds, check out our article, "Satin silkie - salmon faverole hybrid.
I can't believe it! 🥹
Hold the cluck! 🎉 A truly egg-cellent story from our community! User /u/anet_12468 recently shared an unbelievable tale of resilience amidst a recent heatwave. After fearing the worst – that a scorching spell had impacted her hens’ eggs – they discovered a miraculous surprise: two chicks hatched from a clutch of six! One hen, Pippa, even managed a second brood this year, defying expectations. It’s a testament to the tenacity of these feathered friends, and a heartwarming reminder that even in challenging conditions, life finds a way. Witnessing such determination is simply cluck-tastic! Want to observe chicken behavior firsthand? Check out our "Peckington Square Chicken City Livestream 24/7 Cam" for a constant feed of feathered antics.
Tips for new broody chicken mama?
Congratulations on your hen's hatching success! Witnessing a broody hen raise chicks is a truly *cluck-tastic* experience, and your dedication to ensuring their well-being is admirable. While incubating chicks yourself is one thing, letting a mama hen take the reins introduces a delightful, albeit slightly nerve-wracking, new dimension. Your concerns are spot-on – new chicks require extra attention! To maximize your little ones’ chances of thriving, prioritize easy access to food and water. The baby waterer is a smart move, and monitoring for drowning is always prudent. For ramp navigation, gentle encouragement may be all that's needed. And yes, "shrink wrapping" is a valid worry; keeping the coop well-ventilated is key.
URGENT!! Chickens hatching under broody hen- do I do anything??
## Urgent Hatching Help! A Broody Hen's Surprise Delivery! Panic setting in as your broody hen surprises you with a clutch of hatching chicks? We get it – it’s a *cluck-tastic* situation! While hatching chicks is usually egg-cellent, that early loss has you understandably worried. Don't chickening out! Generally, leaving them to it is the best approach; intervention can often do more harm than good. A light misting with water *can* help if you notice any chicks struggling to break free, but avoid overdoing it. This is a common conundrum, and you're not alone! For a look at some other adorable chicken updates, check out "Young adults!": I promised like a month ago to post these beauties as grown ups.
Will nonbroody hens look after new chicks?
## Will Nonbroody Hens Look After New Chicks? The age-old question: can a hen who *isn’t* a natural mother offer a helping wing to a clutch of newly hatched chicks? The short answer? It's complicated, but often surprisingly possible! While a broody hen is the gold standard for chick rearing, many nonbroody hens can exhibit surprising maternal instincts. Success hinges on careful introduction and a bit of luck. We've ranked the likelihood of acceptance from low to high, and included tips to increase your chances. Dealing with a chick that's not moving? You might find some helpful insights in our article, "Baby chick help," which addresses similar concerns. Ultimately, understanding chicken behavior is key to happy, healthy flocks!
Integratinghens
Good afternoon, /u/Healthy-Delay-1672! Expanding your flock is an *egg-citing* prospect! Integrating new hens into an existing group, especially around 12 weeks of age, requires careful consideration. While you're right to be mindful of age differences—it *can* complicate things—it's certainly possible to add to your Rhode Island Reds and Isa Browns now. The key is a slow, gradual introduction to minimize stress and potential pecking order squabbles. We recommend a period of quarantine and supervised introductions. Adding two hens at once might be less disruptive than a larger group. For more insight into identifying your chickens, check out our article, "Rooster or Hen?!" to ensure you're welcoming the right additions. We're here to help you navigate this *cluck-tastic* journey!
Chicks VS Grown(ish)
## Surprise! Tiny New Arrivals: Chicks vs. Grown(ish) A delightful, and slightly chaotic, twist has unfolded for /u/MoistYogurtcloset929! Their broody hen surprised them with a clutch of adorable chicks, creating a charming contrast with their existing flock. Witness the “Chicks vs. Grown(ish)” dynamic as these fluffy newcomers navigate life alongside their larger, more experienced feathered friends. It’s a cluck-tastic scene of miniature mayhem and burgeoning friendships! This unexpected hatch raises all sorts of questions about integration and growth – a topic we explore further in "My most beautiful grow out!", which details one user's successful silkie cross. Join the conversation and share your own experiences with surprise hatches and growing flocks!
Chicken traumatized
## My Chicken Was Attacked! Now What? Seeing your feathered friend shaken after a traumatic event is heartbreaking. A recent post from /u/Front_Jury9985 detailed a distressing encounter with a dog and the subsequent anxiety experienced by their chicken. Thankfully, the chicken sustained no injuries, but the emotional fallout is real. Many found solace in playing baby Mozart, a technique that proved surprisingly effective in calming the distressed hen. The poster also noted a slight limp, advising vigilant observation for any further complications. This experience highlights the vulnerability of even the toughest-seeming chickens and the importance of providing a safe, comforting environment. For more on understanding chicken behavior, check out our article, ""Give me some food" look": Always wanting something, but they're cute."
One hen won’t lay eggs
## The Case of the Silent Hen: A Cluck-tastic Mystery! So, one of your feathered friends has decided to take a break from egg-laying? You’re not alone! It’s a common conundrum for chicken keepers, and we’re here to help you crack the case. /u/imhereforthesnax is facing just this: a hen who’s gone quiet, even after diligent mite, worm, and nutrient checks. The rooster’s lost interest too – a curious detail! You’ve ruled out secret nesting spots with clever experiments, so what *could* be the culprit? We’ll explore potential reasons for this sudden silence, from molting to underlying health issues, offering practical troubleshooting steps to get your hen back on track.