2018 Newbie Chat!

[PNW_Peepers]

I'm also a newbie- so new in fact that I don't yet have a single chicken. Brooder is almost ready, chicks will arrive locally on or around 2/19, so I'll have my 3 then. We have an old coop, used by previous owners of the property, that just needs a good clean out, which I'll be doing soon. Can't wait, though, to get chickmerized!

Welcome to BYC! What kind of brooder setup do you have, and what breeds do you plan on getting? So exiting that you’ll have your chicks soon!!!

 

[Minky]

Peepers- That s a cute little chickie- is the cross beak the little gap i see on the left of the pic, (pic 2) I didnt know that was something to look for! Ive never had chicks before. What can you do about crossbeak- will it cause her any problems in the future?

Dancing Bee- Welcome to the newbie group!

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Peepers- That s a cute little chickie- is the cross beak the little gap i see on the left of the pic, (pic 2) I didnt know that was something to look for! Ive never had chicks before. What can you do about crossbeak- will it cause her any problems in the future?

Dancing Bee- Welcome to the newbie group!

Yes that little gap will develop into cross beak. Some call it scissor beak, it’s a semi common deformity. It can happen genetically or in a bad hatch (if the chick doesn’t cover their beak with their wing in development or if the eggshell is too hard during hatching) I’m trying to feed her excess protein as that can help her grow out of it. Generally it’s untreatable, and depending on severity it could be life threatening. They can be so cross beaked they can’t eat or drink. Luckily I caught mine early, I noticed her bottom beak wasn’t lining up perfectly. Other than a little more character she should lead a pretty normal life.

 

[mybackyardhobbyfarm]

This is our latest little guy. He's got a little bit of splay leg so he's not to happy with us right now.

My sister had a chick with splayed legs and I suggested making a miniature hobbles with a bread bag twist tie(s) to let the chick still walk but keep his legs under him. She laughed cuz she thought I was kidding but later she tried it at home and it really helped the chick. In a matter of days it was corrected.

 

[Dancing Bee]

Welcome to BYC! What kind of brooder setup do you have, and what breeds do you plan on getting? So exiting that you’ll have your chicks soon!!!

A neighbor has Silver Wyanndotte, and they're doing well, so I may go that way. I'm not really concerned about egg color or anything, other than that they do lay and they are friendly. Right now, I have a plastic storage box for a brooder, with a brooder heating plate. Will likely move them into the coop fairly soon, if not immediately, since it's clean and there are no other birds out there. Thanks for asking!
Diana

 

[PNW_Peepers]

A neighbor has Silver Wyanndotte, and they're doing well, so I may go that way. I'm not really concerned about egg color or anything, other than that they do lay and they are friendly. Right now, I have a plastic storage box for a brooder, with a brooder heating plate. Will likely move them into the coop fairly soon, if not immediately, since it's clean and there are no other birds out there. Thanks for asking!
Diana

I love wyandotte’s! I had blue laced red wyandotte’s for a few weeks. I split and order of fifteen in December with my husbands coworker and he got those and some EE! It’s sounds like you’ve got a good brooder setup already. I have a Brinsea heating plate and it’s wonderful, I just adjust the height as my chicks grow. Feel free to overload with pics when you get the lil guys. I love baby chicks!

 

[Dancing Bee]

I love wyandotte’s! I had blue laced red wyandotte’s for a few weeks. I split and order of fifteen in December with my husbands coworker and he got those and some EE! It’s sounds like you’ve got a good brooder setup already. I have a Brinsea heating plate and it’s wonderful, I just adjust the height as my chicks grow. Feel free to overload with pics when you get the lil guys. I love baby chicks!

I'm sure that I'll be a very proud chickie-mama and fill this stream with chick photos!
Thanks for your reply!

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Had to send my mom to pick them up from the post office since I'm at work. But I'm watching them on the chicken cam xD
They all had a feeding frenzy now warming up.
I ordered 5 and got 7.
It might be a guessing game what the extras are.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

Had to send my mom to pick them up from the post office since I'm at work. But I'm watching them on the chicken cam xD
They all had a feeding frenzy now warming up.
I ordered 5 and got 7.
It might be a guessing game what the extras are.
View attachment 1266478

Oh my goodness I’m so happy your babies arrived safely. I was so worried for you with all the DOA chicks people have been getting during this cold snap! How long was their transit time? Both shipments I got from MPC were about 20hrs in transit. Can’t wait to see more pictures of them! Congrats!

 

[BBZZZZTT]

They shipped Wednesday morning. So even like 48hrs. I was Soo worried they would be doa.
Here is a screenshot of one of the mystery chicks.

Any ideas?