[splash101]

I'm quite sure of the 12 chicks in the brooder we have 5 boys and 7 girls.

the weather has been quite good the last couple of days so whilst i've been working outside i've put the brooder outside with the lid on most of the time and kept an eye on the tempreture. Had the lid of a couple of times but i had to put a sheet of wire mesh over the top as they are just begining to realise what their wings are for.
The boys are starting to chest bump 

The 2 chicks that were hatched under the broody hen (1 boy and 1 girl) are far more advanced than the incubator chicks even though they are only a day older (2 weeks old tomorrow).

They are all doing really well

[rcf100]

Jealous beyond compare to your hatching adventure, what will you do with the boys?

[ANHBUC]

I agree, both my broodies chicks get bigger every day and are really adventurous.  They love flying onto perches and follow mums every move.  They seem really hardy as they have been outdoors all the time and only shelter under mum occasionally.

They are however very wary as their mums have taught them well.  I will have to wait until they have left home before getting them hand tame.    They are quite easy to handle but a b**ger to catch.   

[joyfull]

hens can chest bump too 

[splash101]

A couple of the boys are spoken for but alas the others are destined for the great chicken coop in the sky.

I wasnt sure about the girls chest bumping, probably why last year our RIR's were so hard to sex, we had a boy that we were all sure was a girl, behaviour and appearance suggested girl but no, turned out to be boy and a bit of a wuss at that

maybe updating you again in a few weeks then that the ratio has changed 

[ANHBUC]

hens can chest bump too 

I thought that was the case Joy glad you confirmed it as all my Light Sussex Bantam chicks do it.  Will just have to be patient for finding out their sexes as they are only 4 weeks.  The Welsummer Bantams are easier and I have 3 female, 2 male and 1 almost certain is a female.  If it stops raining long enough I might get some more photos as they don't look very chick like now. 

[LittleRedHen]

The one time that we raised chicks under a broody, two of my females chest butted constantly.  Pecking order must start early!