This is a photo of the chicks in their brooder with hemp shavings. It lasts longer, smells better, and easier to clean! We had doggie pee pads down under it, but now that the chicks are getting older, they are more curious and peck at everything. Switched over to kraft paper to line the floor under the shavings. While I can tell them apart, it may not be so easy for the untrained eye. There are Barred Plymouth Rock, Australorp, Welsummer, Rhode Island Red, Easter Egger, and Silver Laced Wyandotte in the brooder.
The younger chicks (one week younger) are in a large box still, but not for much longer as they will start flying around here too. They are not yet on shavings, but will be in a few days. They are Lavender Orpington, Black Copper Maran, and two more Australorp. They can't hold their own yet with the older birds. So for now, they are their own little flock. As they get taller and faster, they will be added into the larger flock.
