Oops, I made a typo. I have 17 babies that are 5 days old. I've been keeping them outside since they arrived from the hatchery at 1 day old.
Chicken starter question
- Thread starter Neptune
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The amount of feed you buy depends on how often you want to run to the feed store! A 25 lb. bag will last you for awhile with 4/5 chicks. If you have a predator proof coop I would start them in it. But the advantage to brooding them inside is you get to spend more hands on time with them and it helps tame them. What breed are you getting? If your not worried about taming them I would just brood them in the coop and turn the heat lamp on at night if they still need it and that depends on the age of the chicks and the temp at night. If you have day temps in the hundreds make sure you provide a cool place for them to brood you don't want to cook them! And cover your run! Give them a safe haven to roam in. I live in the woods I have to have a completely enclosed run. We have to many predators. Lost 2 flocks to my ignorance of not paying attention to the predators in my area. Good luck! Oh FYI I brooded mine in the house for 4 weeks simply because the coop wasn't finished!
- Thread starter
- #13
- Aug 16, 2014
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The box with the heat lamp sounds good as they get older. Just visited my friend who has more of a farm set up. Very open coops and they have for cages set on top of each other as nesting spots. Most of theirs roost in the citrus trees. they have never used anything but plenty of water to keep them cool. They have 5 teenagers they offered me, but we are no where ready and they have never been held. They got rid of 3 roosters, and this hen hid and hatched her eggs much to their surprise during the hottest part of our summer!
Just a word about the decision over medicated versus non-medicated starter. The amount of amprolium in medicated starter is a very low amount. Because of that chicks can and often do still come down with a case of coccidiosis. It certainly never hurts to feed medicated but just be aware of that. Many people raising chicks for the first time think that medicated starter means they don't have to worry about coccidiosis. Be aware of the early signs of coccidiosis, keep Corid on hand when raising chicks and be ready to treat asap. Chicks will develop resistance to the cocci strains that are in their environment once they are exposed to the outdoors.
I disagree on the bringing day old chicks inside because it's hot outside. My broody hens hatch in high summer and they're outside. I've never lost a chick to being too hot with a broody hen, even in July/August. Just use good sense with your heat lamp, if it's 95 or so where the chicks are, they don't need a heat lamp during the day. Even as day olds.
- Thread starter
- #16
- Aug 16, 2014
- 13
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Seems they little ladies are good as long as temps are 95, medicated properly and watered! I can hardly stand waiting until Sept/Oct!!! I would also like to say the little churtle sound is so cool!!(hens sound)
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- #17
- Aug 16, 2014
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- Thread starter
- #18
- Aug 16, 2014
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I'm trying not to get too set on breeds. I just don't want to get my hopes up and not be able to get them at the feed store. I know we have the option of ordering them, but being limited to 5 I don't think that will work. I need heat hardy and I have been on the site for AZ. I'm open to suggestions! I told my sister she could pick one and she wants a fancy chicken that doesn't lay very well. I told her there would be no freeloaders in my coop! Ha ha She can dream! I think I mentioned my only predator s would be my cats. the coop will be covered and I don't think I will let them free range unattended for quite some time.
Regarding heat tolerance, most of the light breeds are known for that. Specifically the Mediterranean breeds (Leghorns, Minorcas, etc). However, these also are more flighty and noisy.
That said, in Texas people have been raising the heavier, more cold hardy breeds out in the Texas heat for many, many years. I chose several of the heavy breeds because I like their temperament and they’ll be fine in the heat. In AZ it gets hotter but less humid, so go with local advice.
If you want to order them, My Pet Chicken, Meyer and Cackle will sell you as few as 3 to 5 chicks but you’ll pay a lot for shipping. Ideal has a $25 min order, which comes to 8-10 chicks, and ships for much, much less. However, they all may send you more than you order.
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- #20
- Aug 16, 2014
- 13
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Thank you!
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