Any one have any tips about raising baby chicks??

[ChickenFarmerGirl]

I am new to baby chicks. Does anyone have some good advice? I would really appreciate it.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

Give them food, water, and lots of cuddles!

 

[SueT]

Click on 'articles' at top of page, and then choose 'Learning Center.' Everything you need to know will be there....
Do you already have your chicks?

 

[ChickenFarmerGirl]

Yes

 

[sylviethecochin]

Some general rules:

If they're acting like they're hot (crowding away from the heat lamp) then they're hot. If they're acting like they're cold (crowding under the heat lamp) then they're cold. No matter what the "official rules" say.

No-waste feeders will save you money, long-term.

If you have other pets, always make sure the door to your brooder room is closed. You wouldn't be the first or last person to lose a lot of chicks to a cat.

Assemble your first-aid kit before bad things happen, not after.

 

[analyticalblonde]

I also am a newbie but have read, and read, and read posts, books, etc.

Here are a few suggestions that I have done...

Heat source: Baby chicks cannot regulate their temperature hence, the need for a supplemental heat source. But be careful, too much heat can bring on pasty butt from being too hot (dehydration), a horrible and deadly killer of babies if not monitored DAILY!

Brooder size matters: I have 10 chicks that are two weeks old. I posted a few pictures of my brooder to provide an idea of the size brooder I have them in currently; it is about 5 ft long by a little less than 3 ft wide. I also taped up the sides with duck tape to add additional height to the brooder.

Overhead Protection: They are started to do short bursts of flight and will probably be covering it with a screen that I have already prepared by next week (week 3).

Brooder Accommodations: I would recommend putting the waterer and food on the same side of the brooder and leave the other side of the brooder open for them to roam and sleep.

Monitoring: Look in on them several times a day! This helps you to know how they are doing and speak to them....whether singing, or cooing...they will begin to recognize your voice which is important. Pick them up and look them over, thoroughly, for any changes. If you monitor them regularly, you will be able to recognize if something is not quite right. Look at their vents (where their poop comes out) to be sure it is free and clear of any obstructions (see pasty butt).

Finally, start early with introducing little roosting bars and a little dirt and grass clog (if they are older than two weeks) from your yard where they will eventually live. This helps with building their immunity and is fun for them to peck at and scratch. Be sure to give chick grit with anything that's not chick starter.

Most of all hold them, love them, sing to them, tell them how beautiful they are to you...even if they protest! Like little babies and toddlers, they want to just have fun (and sleep...sometimes they look like they are dead but they aren't...that's just how they fall asleep...again, think of a baby or toddler and how they can fall asleep in any position that to you or I would be a Yoga form) but don't know they need a Momma to make sure they're are safe! Hope this helps!

 

[ChickenFarmerGirl]

thanks