I am turning an old pig barn into a coop. It is 9 foot by 12 foot, with two 4 foot by 8 foot pig stalls, both in excellent condition, plywood walls and floor. I would like to turn one stall into a coop for now, should be large enough for my six chicks, if I get more I can add the second stall...
I have started feeding my 17 day old chicks ( six barred rocks) a half a boiled egg as a treat. They absolutely devour it! Do they need scratch to properly digest the egg, or is it soft enough?
Thanks for the info folks, sounds like we've just got some normal acting chicks. They are not afraid of us perse, just when we try to pick them up. They are 2 weeks old today and they got a treat of finely diced hard boiled egg for their birthday. Once they figured out what it was, ate every...
We have 6 barred rocks, got them at 6 days old. We go in to the the barn and talk to them, they seem to light up when they hear our voices. But when we try to pick them up they all run away and huddle in a corner. We pick them up and cuddle them, but they still act afraid of us. The brooder is a...
Is there any reason for a pregnant woman to worry about being around chickens? I understand the concern about young people and the infirmed handling chickens. Should there be any worry for a pregnant woman?
Mitch
Just brought home 6 barred rocks, I think I am more nervous then when I first brought my kids home from the hospital...lol Got the basics, 50 gallon sterilte tote for a brooder, light, thermometer, food water and pine shaving (flake not fine). They are 5 days old and seem to be doing OK, they...
Thanks Mary. The brooder will be in our heated barn, so mess is not a concern. The barn is heated by hot water pipes running through the concrete floor so even with our cold spring the chicks should be comfortable. I have some improvements I would like to make to the coop before I move them, not...
Very excited about starting to raise chickens! How long should I expect to keep my chicks in the brooder before they move to the coop? Planning on getting some Sussex and Wyandots from a local breeder a week from today, they will be fresh hatched.
Thanks in advance,
Mitch