Does everyone stress ordering chicks the first time 😱

[FrostRanger]

Yeah, as long as they have chick grit. I personally just don't like introducing treats other than grass and wet chick feed until they get a bit older but a mealworm or 2 won't hurt them, just don't overdo it as they really do need to mostly be eating their chick feed

 

[Esrun]

Look at these cuties. How long do baby chicks stay under their mama? My hen has not gotten up to walk around since I gave them to her. They have come out here and there but are mostly snuggles in and under sleeping. The other crew (in a separate area) with the heat lamp seem more active. Should I be concerned? Meet Pickles and her babes

 

[Esrun]

Yeah, as long as they have chick grit. I personally just don't like introducing treats other than grass and wet chick feed until they get a bit older but a mealworm or 2 won't hurt them, just don't overdo it as they really do need to mostly be eating their chick feed

But it’s ok for them to eat whatever is on the ground in the grass/dirt right? I don’t have grit specifically but the run is dirt.

 

[FrostRanger]

Yes, but please buy chick grit as soon as possible. Without it they'll get an impacted crop if they eat something besides their chick feed

 

[Esrun]

Yes, but please buy chick grit as soon as possible. Without it they'll get an impacted crop if they eat something besides their chick feed

Is this true for all ages? I have a sand run for our hens and thought that provided grit… they also don’t free range but they have a run that’s mostly dirt with some patches of grass.

 

[FrostRanger]

Sand can act as grit, although IMO grit is cheap enough that it doesn't hurt to have some available just in case

 

[21hens-incharge]

Can they eat treats like meal worms yet if they are outside w her for a little bit?

The mama will show them what is good to eat including grit or small stones.
Trust the mama.

 

[Esrun]

Well, they’ve all gone to their new homes. We kept 2

New babies arrive Monday

 

[McChooky]

He ordered 10 Welsummer and 10 barred rock pullets.

Those are auto-sexed standard heritage breeds.Their chicks are easier to sex. I have 4 different auto-sexed breeds but there are many more (dominick, barred rocks, welsummers and cream legbars)

 

[Esrun]

Is it normal for a mama hen not to get up? She is doing a great job mothering but I notice she won’t leave her position.