ALABAMA!!

[RedneckGurl]

Welcome, Red! Don't over think it too much, it is really fun and easy! I work full time + and not only do I brood chicks, but I hatch as well! Get a good sturdy, secure coop built FIRST (my best advice) then worry about the chickens, you will probably end up with which ever opportunity presents itself and it will be fine no matter what kind they are. We're glad you joined us on the Alabama!! thread and have fun surfing the rest of the site! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post or PM!

Wisher -- I had read somewhere on this site (I believe) that to raise hatchlings they pretty much needed round the clock care and feeding for about 3-4 weeks. That is why I say I don't think I can do chicks that young. How do you do it? Also I have one indoor dog and all the cats are indoor only so how would I keep the chicks from being traumatized or outright eaten? An open cardboard box with a heat lamp just isn't going to cut it.

 

[Wisher1000]

I put a large cardboard box in the garage. It is not heated, but is tight and rarely gets below freezing. In that box, I put two brooder lamps (TSC $9.99) in there so that if one of the bulbs blows, there will still be one until I get home. I put food and water in the middle and fix it where they can't turn it over or kick too much bedding into it, or fall into it. That's it. As long as they can get to the water, food and heat, they really don't need you.

If you have to keep them in a spare room, build a box that the cats and dog can't get into and keep the door to that room closed. I built a new brooder, hospital, transport box this year and I am excited to try it out.

 

[RedneckGurl]

Wow, okay, that does sound pretty straightforward. There was something about their poopers getting clogged up or something like that...does that happen often? Maybe I'm just doing too much reading instead of what I usually do, which is jump first and ask questions later.

BTW, I see all these cute sayings and stuff that people have at the bottom of their posts but I can't seem to find where to edit that on my profile. Is that something that comes later after you've reached a certain posting level or what?

 

[Wisher1000]

They can get pasty butt, but usually it starts slowly and if you check and treat them at night when you are home, it will be fine.

Click on your own name and then on edit community profile. Almost at the bottom of that page, it is something like "Your forum signature".

 

[Hennyhandler]

Yes, they will get pasty butt. Just check on them everyday or so and make sure that it isn't. It happens but doesn't mean it will every time.
For the cute sayings it should be on My Profile page and you scroll down. It should show a signature section and an edit button. I don't think there is a certain amount of time you have to wait or level. It is towards the bottom. Hope this helps.

 

[RedneckGurl]

Thanks Henny! I'm getting more convinced that I can do this with young chicks after all. I really did want that since I know handling them early is what makes them allow it as they get older and I not only want these girls for eggs but I want them as pets too.

 

[Tomtommom]

I have mine in my bedroom, in a big cardboard box with some closetmaid wire shelves tied to the top. I stuck some wood scraps in various places. So far it works marvelously and I have 2 cats and 2 young kids.

They really require very little time. 10 minutes a day, at most.

By the way, I was at Chelsea TSC today. They had straightrun buff brahma's, red pullets (can be RIR, Hampshire, production or sex link, they were lighter looking than my RIR.), assorted pullets (can be commercial black, tetra tint, white leghorn, amberlink, sex link, comets. They were black), cornish rock.

Figured I'd share.

 

[Wisher1000]

Thanks, Tom, Tuscaloosa's TSC has chicks and ducks, too. I resisted, I think I am sterilizing the bator this weekend, if I don't go to the Chattahoochee Valley Show over in Nunan, GA. Anyone else going?

 

[jpayne615]

Hey Wisher,

Thanks for the response on Little Foot. We took him to the vet today and they put him down. They said that he probably had a genetic abnormality that would not allow him to live past 4 or 5 weeks of age. Pretty sad, but we still have 6 more. Again, thanks for the reply though.

 

[dan2]

Hey y'all, lots has happened since I first said hey. I am back now and very happy to be here.
I bought 10 RIRs & 10 BGs @ scottsboro tsc Tuesday.

My girls are starting to lay fairly good. I put 25 buff, 6ee, 6 leghorn and 5 cochin/gameX in the bator yesterday. Light brahama and RIR maybe tomorrow.
You guys and girls are shareing