Gtownallie
Chirping
Sorry, long first time newbie post! We moved out to the country a couple of years ago. This year we were finally settled enough to start getting the chickens we wanted. I had planned on waiting until spring, but with how crazy everything is in the world lately, I decided (after much research) to try some fall chicks. I ordered them from My Pet Chicken and they arrived this week! When we stopped by the post office to pick them up, my 6 year old said “This is the best day of my life ever!” After making it home (with lots of driving advice from the kids on avoiding potholes, not crashing, etc ), I unboxed the chicks and put them in the set up brooder. We are using a plastic storage tote lined with puppy pads and paper towels along with a brooding plate. I gave them all a drink of water and showed them where the food was. At first I thought something was wrong with one of the girl’s legs, but then realized she just has 5 toes! I am such a nervous Nellie, hoping we are doing everything right and scared I will let one of them die. But they seem happy. So quiet at night under the plate, I then worry they are all dead! But they are already getting some wing feathers and trying to hop on top of the brooder plate. I did notice one of them is having some diarrhea, so I added the Corid (using non-medicated feed) to the water along with Nutridrench. But everyone seems perky so hopefully that fixes it. The only other problem was that I had the brooder in the garage where it was almost 90 degrees. I had 2 chicks with pasty butt and they were laying down spreading out their wings, looking like they were trying to cool off. So I brought it into the house last night which will hopefully help.
This weekend they will be 1 week old so I’m planning on moving them to a bigger brooder and switching to sand in the bottom. We may also try some outside time this afternoon as it is supposed to be almost 90 here today!
One quick question: I have 6 more chicks arriving the week of October 5 ( so 2 weeks apart). Can I put them in the same brooder when they get here or do I need to keep them separate? My biggest problem is that I only have 1 brooder plate. If I absolutely have to I will get a second one, but would prefer not to spend the money if I can raise them together. (I have coming 2 buff Orpington, Lavender Orpington, 2 Salmon faverole, and a Welsummer). Thanks!
Meet the girls:
Lucy (Black cooper maran)
Pearl (olive egger)
Honey (golden laced Wyandotte)
Goldie (Green queen Easter egger)
Ethel and Beatrice (Easter eggers)
This weekend they will be 1 week old so I’m planning on moving them to a bigger brooder and switching to sand in the bottom. We may also try some outside time this afternoon as it is supposed to be almost 90 here today!
One quick question: I have 6 more chicks arriving the week of October 5 ( so 2 weeks apart). Can I put them in the same brooder when they get here or do I need to keep them separate? My biggest problem is that I only have 1 brooder plate. If I absolutely have to I will get a second one, but would prefer not to spend the money if I can raise them together. (I have coming 2 buff Orpington, Lavender Orpington, 2 Salmon faverole, and a Welsummer). Thanks!
Meet the girls:
Lucy (Black cooper maran)
Pearl (olive egger)
Honey (golden laced Wyandotte)
Goldie (Green queen Easter egger)
Ethel and Beatrice (Easter eggers)