Almost Here!

[IndigoChicken12]

Well, our chicks are almost here, and I'm kinda freaking out. :/ So now I have a couple dumb questions that I think I know the answer to, but just want to check .

1. Can I put rocks/regular tree branches in the brooder?

2. When is the SOONEST I can put my babies in the coop WITHOUT a heat lamp? I live in Texas, by the way.

3. When can I let the chicks outside? Do they need grit for bugs and grass and stuff?

4. Can someone post pictures of 3, 4, and 6/7 week old chicks?

Thanks for putting up with my rambling!

 

[sarahc8]

Hey there! I've only raised chicks for two years now... but I'll share what I know with you
1. YES! I screwed a small tree branch into the corner of my brooder this year and my ISA brown chicks LOVE it... but I also have cornish cross chicks for meat, and they don't really roost...I would imagine you could put rocks in there, but be warned, they WILL get super poopy lol.
2. I guess it depends how warm it is in Texas right now (I'm in Canada)... but I believe the general rule is, when they're fully feathered... which is 4-6 weeks.
3. I'm sure they'd LOVE to go outside anytime! I'd make sure they were fenced in so you're not running around willy-nilly trying to catch chicks... and make sure it's warm enough out. They will get grit from the soil, but I never gave grit in my brooders and they've been fine without it... but i do occasionally throw in a chunk of sod which they go crazy over

Happy chickening!

 

[sarahc8]

also wondering what kind of chicks you're getting?

 

[IndigoChicken12]

Thanks sarahc8! I'm getting 5 chicks. 1 Easter Egger, 1 Silver Laced Wyandotte, 1 Barred Rock, 1 Australorp, and 1 Partridge Rock.

Thanks again!

 

[sarahc8]

wow!! that's quite the diversity! lol did you just want to try them all to see which you like best? are you getting a straight run, or are they sexed?

 

[IndigoChicken12]

I (hopefully) got all pullets. It's my first time raising chickens, so I wanted to try out some different breeds. My mom and dad let me pick out the breeds, and I'm super excited!

 

[sarahc8]

That's great!! I truly hope you have fun...don't be sad if some don't make it... I ordered 10 and ended up with five this year... luckily the hatchery really stands behind their chicks and offered me a refund cycle of life I suppose