Babies!!

[ShannonS79]

Hi I'm new here and a first time chicken owner.

Our chicks came yesterday!! My kids want to hold them ALL THE TIME! haha, but so do I, so I understand.
I got 10 Easter Eggers from Cackle Hatchery and they all look nice and healthy. They poop a lot! The coop isn't done yet, but it's getting there. We are using the Garden coop design and it looks really nice so far. http://www.thegardencoop.com/

So yesterday I put some smooth white fabric in the bottom of the tub they are in so they could find the food, I changed it last night to a dark green towel because the white looked soiled and gross (Does chick poop stain?!) I know they say to put pine shavings in the brooder, but when? They know where the food and water is, and one girl is already looking like she is the "boss" I think. She pecks the others on the beak sometimes.

Also, I have them in a 35 gallon plastic bin, is this going to be big enough until they are ready for the coop? And, is it OK to give them treats- AKA kitchen scraps like strawberry tops and lettuce. And, how long is to OK to handle them at this age (they hatched on the 5th), I guess what I'm really wondering is how long can they be away from the light and be OK? Hubby wants me to let them run around on the linoleum, but I'm afraid to let them out of the brooder for too long.

I feel like I have a lot to learn.

Thanks so much!

Shannon

 

[StormyMoon]

Quote:
I keep mine in a plastic storage box ( no lid of course ), but its clear....i have used pine shavings , I made the mistake of shredding news paper at first but now they get pine shavings. My chicks are around 4 - 5 weeks old now. My kids handle the chicks but only when I am with them I worry about accidents. Its good that they get use to hands.

The rest I am sure others can answer better than me

I am a new chickie mommy too.....
Congrats on your new babies....

 

[JLS]

First of

I didn"t give my little ones scraps for a couple weeks. When I did I only gave them some dry bread to start. I think I put shavings in on the third day. If your hubby wants to play with them, you can clamp a light on the chair and if they get chilled they can stay under the light. But I would hold off on playing out of the brooder for a few more days still. I may be a bit over protective. Have a wonderful time with this beautiful experience!!!

 

[ShannonS79]

I think he just wants them to get to cruise around freely, he has yet to hold one, lol. The Kids can only pick them up supervised. They are 2 lively little boys and I have caught them playing with a chick like it was an airplane.

That's a good idea about the light, when I let them roam, that's what I'll do.

These chicks are so stinking cute and have so much personality I can't get over it!

 

[JLS]

Quote:
My children and I are still in love with our ladies today as we were when they were day old chicks. Enjoy every bit of it. And be advised: this will be just the begining. Soon you'll realize that you'll want more and more in the years to come. I am so happy for you! Keep up the good work

 

[chick4chicks]

Welcome to the great world of chickens. I love them, they are fun to watch. My ladies and one roo have me in stitches sometimes. Watching them run is awesome. Congrats on the new babes

 

[ShannonS79]

I have been wanting them for more than a year, maybe 2, so yesterday was a really great day!! I just really hope they all do well and they are all girls. *maybe* if one is a roo, I might replace him with a silkie. ~I'm so bad!~