11 new chicks arrived yesterday

[PartiPoodles]

Thanks! Good to know for next time. Being a newbie I wanted to take any optional precaution I could and figured it probably couldn’t hurt to have it done.

Is the Marek’s vaccine something most experienced chicken keepers would opt for?

 

[WhySayWhat]

Is the Marek’s vaccine something most experienced chicken keepers would opt for?

I never have, but I don't really have an issue with it where I am either, at least not one I've seen anyway. I don't pay for any of the "optional" things...I also don't use medicated starter feed either, though I did provide "chick electrolyte" water as an option (which they all preferred over straight water anyway) though. I try to keep my chicken keeping costs low...tree limbs for outdoor roosting, recycled lumber to build 95% of our chicken structure, etc...I did spend a few "pretty pennies" on wall mounted next boxes (though I do have 2 gals that insist on laying in the free milk crate on the ground), lighting options (including auto-timers to turn the lights off and on), and a wifi enabled chicken door so that they can "get up and start their day" before I do!

 

[PartiPoodles]

Thanks for sharing that wisdom- it’s much appreciated. Also helpful to know you felt WiFi chick door was something worth adding. I’ve been strongly considering that, as I don’t do mornings- lol. Was looking at several and it seemed all but one had complaints that seemed legit. Think I’ll start a thread on this and one other item being considered, just to see what comes out of it. Thanks again

 

[WhySayWhat]

Thanks for sharing that wisdom- it’s much appreciated. Also helpful to know you felt WiFi chick door was something worth adding. I’ve been strongly considering that, as I don’t do mornings- lol. Was looking at several and it seemed all but one had complaints that seemed legit. Think I’ll start a thread on this and one other item being considered, just to see what comes out of it. Thanks again

To be fair...my husband gave me mine for an anniversary gift last year, lol. I had picked out one that could be "scheduled" to open using a box on the wall, but he's a tech guy (he works as cyber security for an insurance company), so he knew what he was doing with the tech end of things! Our chicken coop has its own server!

 

[Mamatomany123]

If you have a secured run then you can leave the coop door open. I do so I don't have to get up early to let them out. The problem with automatic doors (in my opinion) is sometimes chickens wait until last minute to go in. If the door closes with them outside then they're stuck all night. I've also read about some chickens getting pinned under the door and dying.

I also didn't know Mt healthy offered to debeak. Definitely not a business I care to support then.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Clipping the beak hurts the bird, as in, it's incredibly painful to have done and often remains painful for life.