2019 Newbie Chat!

[808momof4]

Aloha! We are 9 days into this new Chicken Parent lifestyle and LOVING it. We have nine 2 week old chicks. Hubby and I worked out the plans for our coop this evening. I'm excited to get that going. We took our girls outside for the first time this afternoon. We live in Hawaii, and it was very warm outside. Our babies kept trying to get back in our laps instead of exploring the grass. LOL they are such chicken chickens.

 

[808momof4]

Whoops! L-R clockwise: Dottie, Sweetie Pie, Shania Twain, Waffles, Quack Quack (my 2 year old's chicken), Cupcake, Queen Emily, Bernadette, and Sugar Dumpling

 

[SKYLINE]

Brought my first five today! 3 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Rhode Island reds! Not my breed of choice but I’m happy with them. There already snuggled under the heating pad. Everyone’s eating and drinking and I already cleared some pasty butt. They are brooding outside how often should I check on them and should I turn the light off at night? Not a heat lamp just a regular bulb.

 

[paneubert]

The suspense builds.....

Dear PAUL,

Your chick order has been hand-filled and mailed by US Post Office Priority mail. Your delivery confirmation number is xxxxxx.

If you have not already done so you may want to call your local post office and let them know you are expecting a chick order and have them call you as soon as the order arrives.

When your chicks arrive at the Post Office Distribution Center, the Distribution Center may call you and ask you if you want to drive to the Distribution Center, to pick up your order. Please note, while many customers do this, it is not required. If you prefer, tell them to send the chicks on to your local Post Office.

You can access details about your order, at https://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/acct/login.html.

Etc.....

 

[paneubert]

100% survival upon arrival. Packing slip says they gave me an extra female Speckled Sussex as well as my "exotic" free chick for ordering 25 regular chicks. Can you tell which is probably the "exotic"? I sure can! Hahaha. One blinding yellow/white chick in the mix.

 

[RevRico]

My little flock came home today as well, and I think I even know which is which.
2 Rhode Island Red and 2 barred rock pullets, as well as 2 light brahma and 2 silversomething green eggers that are straight run.

They're about 18" under a 150 watt incandescent for tonight, until my not automatic shutoff heating pad shows up tomorrow to make the MHP. IR/laser thermometer shows 95 directly under the line, and 70-75 on the other side of the brooder. I had to bring them inside because it's too cold on the porch, but they sure do like being in front of the pellet stove.

I can't believe how much they've eaten in the 8 hours they've been here. I have the mason jar chick feeders. They've gone through maybe an inch of water, but almost half a quart of food. There is some spillage, but if they aren't sleeping or chasing each other, they're eating. Manna Pro medicated chick starter, 18% protein.

^some getting a midnight snack, some sleeping. I put the cardboard across as a shade and they seem to love it.

I do need to ask, is that a sign of pasty butt on the tan one? 2 birds have "dirty" backsides like they didn't quite finish, but I'm not sure if they just haven't finished or if signs of a problem

 

[paneubert]

View attachment 1687223

I can't believe how much they've eaten in the 8 hours they've been here. I have the mason jar chick feeders. They've gone through maybe an inch of water, but almost half a quart of food.

Keep an eye on the butt. See if you can move it a bit to see if it is just stuck on the fluff, or if it is actually stuck to the exit of the chick. You can always clean them up with some really warm water. Try to dry them as much as you can after to reduce risk of chill.

As for the eating a ton, I saw that as well. My 27 chicks ate what was packaged as sufficient for 100 chicks of Gro-Gel re-hydrated powder. Now I get to see if it comes out the back end as green as it went in the front end. Haha.

 

[Bird Bouquet]

Brought my first five today! 3 Buff Orpingtons and 2 Rhode Island reds! Not my breed of choice but I’m happy with them. There already snuggled under the heating pad. Everyone’s eating and drinking and I already cleared some pasty butt. They are brooding outside how often should I check on them and should I turn the light off at night? Not a heat lamp just a regular bulb.

Of the ten chicks we got 3 weeks ago those breeds are the most docile and engaging. Love them! Good luck to you.
I’m brooding mine inside so I check on them often but less often as they are getting bigger

 

[paneubert]

Lost a Gold Laced overnight No signs of external issues. No pasty butt. Was under the heat plate, but on the edge where I could see it laying down. Since the others were running around, I suspected what was then confirmed.

They were born Tuesday, so most likely just some sort of internal issue. None were lethargic last night, so whatever it was hit fast. I am really hoping I don't have any other losses, especially since I have been (and will keep) selling some of them until I am down to a good number to keep.

 

[llombardo]

I was new to the 2018 group, but here is 2019..I went to buy oyster shell and came home with 2-polish, 2easter eggers, an olive egger, a jersey giant, a cinnamon, and a sapphire gem. They join a barred rock, Rhode Island red, faverolle, 2 light brahmas, an Easter egger, leghorn rooster and silver lace rooster.

I don't have a breed preference as you can see and since I name them I prefer to have them not look alike. I can tell the difference slightly between the 2-light brahmas.

That's right folk--be aware, I doubled my flock within minutes...