About to get some chicks....

[frenchiegirl21]

We had a hen die this week, and chicken math dictated buying 9 more chicks even though 25 are supposed to hatch in less than a week! I think the cuteness sucks us in

 

[BLT79]

I feel the same as you do! I was told they can stay inside for couple months. I have a partially built coop so far. My problem is picking a breed or few, and waiting to see what TSC gets in this week. Good luck

 

[Too Fast]

I am going to give a VERY serious warning about your post! It is very dangerous to say "who knows how many more we will get" You have already begun the symptoms of CHICKEN MATH!

gg706, so true! I thought chicken math was a joke when I joined this forum. I mean, I owned chickens in the past (way too many) but I thought it would be different this time. Was planning on buying 6, wound up with an order of 29 from Ideal. Oh, but then 7 were either DOA or died shortly after arrival, and of one of the breeds I really wanted, so of course I had to buy some more from Cackle. And that's how I wound up with 22 survivors + 25 more coming from Cackle.

Ha ha both of you. We won't have any more than 8, and probably between 4 and 8. What I meant was who knows how many more laying hens we will get lol. Our coop is only 32 sq ft, and I won't stand to crowd more than 8 in there, no matter what the OP says. One of the ones we really wanted died also, either a NHR or amber link. Hard for us newbs to tell the difference at this point. We got 2 each of those pullets, and 2 GL Wyandotte and 2 Leghornes, those last 4 the straight run. Chicken math indeed. And wow they are growing fast!

 

[gg706]

That is how we all start out! I built a chicken tractor thinking I only need 5 or 6 hens....now I am planning to build a coop next year and use the tractor as a brooder! I have found the chickens are actually my favorite pets. The only thing that stops most people from adding more is a city ordinance, and even then some have it so bad they go rogue! I can appreciate the fact you are limiting the number to the coop size. I am in the same boat. Next year, however I wont have that to hold me back! Good Luck to you!

 

[Squeaky McMurdo]

Anyone notice she said the chicks congregated around their feed? Cold animals eat much more than warm animals.

I have goats. Giving them a heat source in their shelter is cheaper than feeding them twice or even three times as much. It only make sense that this will be true with chickens or anything else.



I'm incubating 12 eggs right now, they're due to hatch the 22nd. I also have a rabbit cage brooder, but mine is 3x2ft with a feed bag taped around all but the front and a lamp. When they outgrow it, they will either be moved to the garage or outside into a 6 ft tall multi-level covered ferret cage with a 3x3ft base and the lamp and some roosts. I may even hang the original brooder on it against one of the doors so they can go in there.

 

[Kida]

I'm just going to add his here because it isn't important enough for it's own thread but I had ordered an 8' x 8' coop/rabbit house/fodder room from a local builder and unbeknownst to me my dear sweet hubby upgraded it to an 8' x 16' so that I would have more room to add on YAY! It gets delivered in two weeks!

 

[suebgbr]

I'm just going to add his here because it isn't important enough for it's own thread but I had ordered an 8' x 8' coop/rabbit house/fodder room from a local builder and unbeknownst to me my dear sweet hubby upgraded it to an 8' x 16' so that I would have more room to add on YAY! It gets delivered in two weeks!e

Lucky twice. Lucky because you are getting the huge coop and lucky because you have a wonderful husband

 

[CedarCluck]

So I was wanting to get everyone's opinion on something. When you have day olds what do you have them on. Pine shavings or actual wood chips?

 

[suebgbr]

I have mine on newspaper and shredded paper from a machine. They are pooping machines so I change them every day.
I did try the wood chippings that you put in reptile tanks but it made the poop smell worse!
I would be worried about anything smaller as they peck at anything to see if it is edible.
Someone on here said use kitchen paper towels, someone else suggested puppy toilet training pads

 

[lemmerich]

Hello I am from Saskatchewan ans was wondering if anyone would know of any body that's sells guineas and different hens want to open my eyes