1st chic order probably getting cancelled

[Ilovemy3babies]

I arranged my order to arrive during spring break (I work in the schools), so I was around to pick them up from the post office and check on them frequently the first few days. By the third day we had pretty much finished with pasty butt and everything seemed to be going pretty well. I would check on the feed and change the water out every morning and every night - just schedule an extra 15-20 minutes in the morning until things iron out. We lost two in the first week, but it wasn't for lack of checking on them.

My first order was 29 chicks! I may be crazy, but I'm loving it! I taped together several large boxes for their brooder in the garage - they started flying over the walls at probably 5 1/2 weeks and I had to improvise to go bigger (the coop was supposed to be built over spring break, but life happened).

If I had it to do over again...fewer chicks just because of space, and probably pick up at the feed store instead of mail order, so they are less stressed when I get them (less pasty butt). And build the coop first. I thought I had it planned so we'd have the coop done in the first week, but we had a difficult time getting everything leveled and squared due to the rocky hill we placed the coop on.

Also wished we had built a coop first, but as you said life happen, ours are 6 weeks old, flying all over the place, desperate for a coop. we ordered an 8x8 shed, which we will convert into a coop. It's being being delivered and install tomorrow.

 

[blackdog043]

Quote:
Yes, you will be fine! It's really not as difficult as some make it to be. If you have any questions, please ask and someone will help you. My best advice is make sure your brooder is big enough and properly set up, for your chicks BEFORE they arrive. If your going to use a heat lamp, make sure it is secured a couple ways, so it does not fall into the brooder. DO NOT just clamp it on to something from above. Make sure there is a hot and cool zone in your brooder, so the chicks can choose where they want to be. Better than a heat lamp is the MHP. I used it for the first time on my new chicks and will not go back to using a heat lamp! I'm not a first time chicken owner although I haven't been on here long. You only need to check on your chicks a couple times a day, if that's what fits your schedule. Not every hour or two! I checked them in the morning, made sure there was food, water, they were all ok and just being chicks. Came back 12 hrs later and did the same thing.

 

[blackdog043]

This was my brooder box for 8 chicks. 2' x 3' to start then took the divider out after 3 weeks to make it 2 x 7. MHP at the top, all food and water raised up to help keep the pine bedding out of it. I used 2 x 4's and underlayment to make platforms. After 2-3 weeks introduce a horizontal nipple waterer. This will make life easier on you and keep the water clean. Horizontal nipples can be bought on amazon and cheap pitcher from Walmart. You can make a bigger one for you coop.





Chicks were 9 weeks old, 5 gallon waterer and feeder in the coop. The block was wet from rain, when I set it up.

 

[Eckielady]

Thanks all,

So we have 2 adults to work and 2 kids to daycare and that about it for the mornings. evenings is only kids sports once a week.

So from what I'm being told it should be rather easy.

The kids will have a blast with them. I think it's good for children to be able to help out with things like that.!