A few starter questions..

[hemolymph]

I am going to get 3 baby chicks today. I have a few questions. I live in a warm climate, we had our first 100 degree day yesterday (I live in Phoenix)

So, inside my house is pretty warm most of the day (around 80 degrees).. So not sure how long to use the heat lamp for?


Also, how long will a 50 pound bag of chick starter last for 3 chicks? (just an estimate) Will they eat all 50 pounds before they start on the regular feed?
Just wondering if I should buy a 25 or 50lb bag.

 

[galanie]

They'll probably eat it all and need more before they start on regular feed. But you don't want to feed them stuff that's more than a few weeks old. I got a 25 lb bag for four and it lasted about 4 weeks and that was too long IMO. You probably won't have to use the heat lamp more than a couple weeks. Mine went outside with no heat at 5 weeks and they are fine, but I'm thinking it gets colder at night there than it does here (currently around 65 at night, 80-90 during the day).

 

[Fred's Hens]

You'll need very, very little supplemental heat. In your climate, cooking them would be very easy to do.
A small 60 watt red bulb would likely supply them with more than enough heat. Frankly, 90 degrees can sometimes be too hot for them and at 95 they can dehydrate and over heat.

Give them enough room to move away from the heat source. Try to make the far end of the brooder 20 degrees cooler so they have a place to go and escape. They'll come back to the warmer areas all by themselves, as they self regulate.

 

[FMAFarms]

Ditto what Fred's Hens said. Make sure they have a brooder large enough to let them get away from the heat. Let the chicks tell you when it's too hot, versus the books.

A 50-lb bag of feed will last your chicks a long, long time but only if you keep it well sealed and away from moisture (I know, not much moisture in your neck of the woods!). If you start seeing large clumps of feed in the bag, those are probably tinged with mold. You won't want to feed your chicks moldy feed! See if you can get yourself a 25-lb bag of chick starter instead. If there's a feed store near you, chances are the feed store employees will be glad to sell you smaller amounts of feed. No need to buy lots if it'll just go bad before you can use it.

At 8 weeks, you'll want to switch from chick starter to chick grower. This will ensure they are getting the right levels of nutrients at the correct stage of their development. Some feed makers, like Purina, combine starter and grower so you only need one feed until they are 16 weeks old. Don't feed your chicks adult bird food early. The protein and calcium levels are not formulated for chicks and can cause them health issues. I hope this helps!

 

[FMAFarms]

One more thing. You're in Phoenix!!!! Be sure to give your chicks plenty plenty plenty of water! And check the waterer a couple of times a day. Chicks dehydrate very quickly, and you'll be surprised how much water they'll go through. Water is very important!