-UPDATED-
-bedding-
I used Ultra Soft Pine Shavings
Right on top of the paper towels/newspaper.
(I prefer paper towels, much easier to clean and sometimes the newspaper get slippery)
-Feeding-
I put large marbles inside my water feeder, so they cannot drown in the water.
-------(Below) This is just my preference--------
-Handling-
1. For the first 3 days, touch them as little as possible. Let them get used to their new environment.
2. After 3 days have past, you can start playing with them, and holding them.
3. Finally, when they are 1 WEEK old, then you can play with them, let them get out, start to play. But very carefully!
-------(Above) This is just my preference--------
-Pasty Butt-
Pasty butts is when your chick either got too stressed from the shipping/transporting, is too hot/crowded, and/or does not have enough protein. Then their poo gets stuck to their bottom and creates a "pasty butt".
*What to do*
1. Move the heat lamp a little so they're not so hot. (JUST A LITTLE)
2. Feed them some yogurt. (mix it into their feed)
If the poop gets really stuck, then you need to take it off.
1. Take a damp wash cloth.
2. Rap it around it's bottom.
3. Wait until the poop gets softer.
4. Pull.
-Cleaning-
What I first did, was that each time they'd poop, I'd get a plastic spoon and pick it up, and throw it away. It works for like a week, then you need to throw away all the shavings and start fresh. If you're JUST going to use newspaper then you are going to have to clean it out A LOT! So I suggest to not just use newspaper.
*Water*
I changed the water every hour. But, of course, you don't need to do that
For most chicks, people clean out the water like once a week. But I think once a day would be good. Depends on how old they are. The older they get, the more they splash around.
*Feed*
You can change the feed about once every week. Just until they eat it all
-Diet-
When they were little, I just used the normal feed. Once they started getting older (few weeks old) I started introducing new things, like cottage cheese, yogurt, oatmeal (if their poop is watery) Lettuce, corn, even cooked eggs!
-Sharp Beaks?-
Then you can let them pick at sand, or even calcium granulates! (I feed them a pinch everyday so they could have strong egg shells!)
I spoiled my chicks by a mile, but they produced wonderful, healthy eggs, and were the best of friends!
I hope you have fun caring for your chicks! Taking care of my chicks is my favorite thing to do. Have fun!
