I am going to be getting 15 chicks from a hatchery is there any advice anyone can give me like any sicknesses or problems they can have? How much space will they need to have?
Getting new chicks
- Thread starter Dustieburk
- Start date
In the beginning, not a lot of space. A large plastic bin, say 3.5 ft x 2.5 feet will work... but only for a week to 10 days. They grow fast.
Set it up so that your heat lamp shines on one end, and the other end is cooler, that way the chicks can move in and out as they need to. Under a broody hen, they are out and about, and when they get a little cold, they crawl under her to get a warm up. They will cheep quite a bit, but iif they are cheeping incesently, that is a sign that they might be too cool. If they are quiet and sleeping, they are fine.
Sometimes a chick will not thrive, and die. It happens, don't worry about it too much. Most will be active, curious and energetic, and then take long naps.
Once they feather out, and they will begin to feather within days, they can handle cooler temps, and will rapidly outgrow their brooder box. Make sure they are protected from predators, and nearly everything (dogs) will be a predator, you need good fencing.
It is a wonderful hobby, and lots of fun. Welcome to the board.
Mrs K
Set it up so that your heat lamp shines on one end, and the other end is cooler, that way the chicks can move in and out as they need to. Under a broody hen, they are out and about, and when they get a little cold, they crawl under her to get a warm up. They will cheep quite a bit, but iif they are cheeping incesently, that is a sign that they might be too cool. If they are quiet and sleeping, they are fine.
Sometimes a chick will not thrive, and die. It happens, don't worry about it too much. Most will be active, curious and energetic, and then take long naps.
Once they feather out, and they will begin to feather within days, they can handle cooler temps, and will rapidly outgrow their brooder box. Make sure they are protected from predators, and nearly everything (dogs) will be a predator, you need good fencing.
It is a wonderful hobby, and lots of fun. Welcome to the board.
Mrs K
- Thread starter
- #3
Thank you Mrs K for all the information. I have raised chicks before but have never purchased any from a hatchery just feed stores and some my hens have raised.
oh, I hope I didn't offend, I just took it that you had never done chicks before, a misread.
- Thread starter
- #5
Oh no i like all the info so I can raise my chickens and chicks better. No offence taken
- Thread starter
- #6
Have you herd of molasses tubs for cattle? That is what I am going to keep them in i have two because they are fairly small then I have bigger cages to keep them in when they get bigger. I am set I think. I have never ordered chicks from a hatchery before and wanted to know if there was anything i needed to know about.
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
-
-
-
-
Rooster rehome in Southern Oregon
- Started by Daisydoottle
- Replies: 0
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
-
Can I get some help from someone with careless neighbours who own dogs.- Started by RiDaGeckoGuy
- Replies: 102
-
-
