New Chick Owner w/ some Q's

What kind of pellets are on the floor? Wether or not they can safely eat them depends on what they are.

As far as 'loosing' feathers, they really should be GETTING feathers in at 3 weeks, not loosing them, but without seeing a picture to show what you are describing, its hard to say. It may be normal for their breed, or the 'feathers' you are thinking they are loosing may just be their baby down. Hard to say.

Nest boxes should be off the floor yes. However, you have a good 17 weeks or more before they'll be ready to use them, so where you put them now really makes no difference to them.

Swim? Uh, I dont think chickens can swim. I've heard they dislike water, although some will play in little kiddie pools, but I really dont think they can swim. I'd be interested in someone else's opinion though!

Hope this helps!

With new babies you should put them on paper for a day or two so they won't try to eat their bedding, but if yours are 3 weeks old and still healthy you should have no worres about what they are walking on.

Are you talking about feathers or their baby fuzz?  If they are losing feathers that can't be a good sign.

Never saw a chicken swim...

If i'm not mistaken, a Golden Cross is a sex-link and goes by various names.
I couldn't find a single photo of a sex-link chick at three weeks old (or any age) that shows bare skin.  Did you buy them that way, or have they started losing their fluff since you've had them?  What are you feeding them?  What kind of brooder set-up do you have?

And- chickens don't swim.  They may enjoy wading in a few inches of water, but in a creek???  Doubtful at best.

Layer pineshavings over the newspaper, then cover with papertowels if the chicks are eating the shavings.

Give the chicks enough room to move away from the heat source so they don't cook in there.

Make sure they constantly have fresh, clean water. 

You do not have to use medicated starter, regular is going to be fine.

What are the "black pellets" you originally had them on?

How many chicks do you have and what size 'tub' do you have them in?

What kind of chicks did you get? Did you maybe get cornish cross chicks?

I was thinking the same thing, Terrie..

Cornish cross chicks grow very fast and are not designed to live a long life. 

Click on my email and send me the pics....I'll post them for you.

Chickens cannot swim. In fact, if they fall into water over their heads, they will become waterlogged and drown. I don't know about the feather loss, sorry.