BeeJayBird
Chirping
Stage 1. Weeks 1-4: Hard to believe our 6 new chicks are 10 days old. We moved them out of their tub today into new quarters for more room because they were like little raptors...surveying the top of the fence trying to figure their way out! And they almost did! Didn't think 'testing their limits' would happen so soon. They are in a guest bathroom kept around 80-85 degrees. Walls, sink, cabinets, toilet all covered in painter’s plastic. Bathtub houses their stuff. The floor is covered with large vinyl shower curtain and cardboard walls are taped to the vinyl. Inside on top is another piece of shower curtain but cut to size. Hope is when time to clean, we can fold up sides of the secondary vinyl with the shavings/poop, discard, clean vinyl, return with new shavings. In theory, should work. Cardboard facing door pulls up/off like gate. We'll fine-tune as we go along. QUESTION: The litter is pine shavings...how often do folks usually clean out and start fresh AND if using shavings, do you stir things around with a small rake to prolong use? Should we switch to straw?
We did not raise our first 6 chicks four years ago, our son did (in his closet!) and we were not very involved until they were moved to the coop. So this is fairly new to us. We have 3 hens, coop, large penned area in our back yard. Chickens are only for eggs and pets. We are very attached to our three remaining hens. With the chicks, am concentrating on providing food (Dumor Chick Starter Feed), water, warmth, safety & stimulation. We are retired and interact with them every couple of hours until dusk. They have just window light now. Food is not medicated as the chicks were vaccinated. Thought we were supposed to provide chick grit (got a big bag!) but things I’ve read said not to feed grit unless you are giving treats/foods other than the chick starter food. Any feedback on the subject of grit and when/if/why treats is appreciated!
Am interested in reading what others are doing with young chicks for stimulation and/or taming them to your presence and touch. Right now, we are only letting them jump in our hands within their box and we will raise them up and down just a bit, sway side-to-side, they seem to really enjoy it and do come running when they see a hand come down. Our little dog is obsessed with them and must be on a chair watching whenever we are with them. Husband is going to make a small roost. Not comfortable holding them right now for any period of time unless moving them from one place to the other.
QUESTION: I read something interesting about providing chicks with a little dirt-bath. The chicks' new quarters would allow this and I was looking at a large red old dog bowl we have. About 3 inches deep but if filled with only an inch of appropriate soil...? Anyone else done such a thing with their chicks? Pros/cons?
Been in and out of BYC reading various posts/threads, as well as some articles. Getting more accustomed with the terminology many use. Not quite sure how to use "tags". Will try to attach a picture. General thoughts or direction to specific articles appreciated. The chicks are: 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Delaware, 1 Red Star ("Rhoda"), 1 Black Ochin ("Elvira"); new breeds to us! *bjb
We did not raise our first 6 chicks four years ago, our son did (in his closet!) and we were not very involved until they were moved to the coop. So this is fairly new to us. We have 3 hens, coop, large penned area in our back yard. Chickens are only for eggs and pets. We are very attached to our three remaining hens. With the chicks, am concentrating on providing food (Dumor Chick Starter Feed), water, warmth, safety & stimulation. We are retired and interact with them every couple of hours until dusk. They have just window light now. Food is not medicated as the chicks were vaccinated. Thought we were supposed to provide chick grit (got a big bag!) but things I’ve read said not to feed grit unless you are giving treats/foods other than the chick starter food. Any feedback on the subject of grit and when/if/why treats is appreciated!
Am interested in reading what others are doing with young chicks for stimulation and/or taming them to your presence and touch. Right now, we are only letting them jump in our hands within their box and we will raise them up and down just a bit, sway side-to-side, they seem to really enjoy it and do come running when they see a hand come down. Our little dog is obsessed with them and must be on a chair watching whenever we are with them. Husband is going to make a small roost. Not comfortable holding them right now for any period of time unless moving them from one place to the other.
QUESTION: I read something interesting about providing chicks with a little dirt-bath. The chicks' new quarters would allow this and I was looking at a large red old dog bowl we have. About 3 inches deep but if filled with only an inch of appropriate soil...? Anyone else done such a thing with their chicks? Pros/cons?
Been in and out of BYC reading various posts/threads, as well as some articles. Getting more accustomed with the terminology many use. Not quite sure how to use "tags". Will try to attach a picture. General thoughts or direction to specific articles appreciated. The chicks are: 2 Buff Orpingtons, 2 Delaware, 1 Red Star ("Rhoda"), 1 Black Ochin ("Elvira"); new breeds to us! *bjb