baby chick set-up, help please!

[KathrynB]

I am getting my first chicks soon and am curious about proper care of day old chicks. I am getting 4 chicks(2 silver laced wyndottes and 2 Light Brahma) what kind of box do they need? when is it safe to put them in their coop? What is the feeding schedule? Thanks for the help!

 

[Gonzo]

For a brooder, a plastic storage tote works great. You'll need a red heat lamp, found at Rural King, or TS. Keep them around 95 degrees the first week, drop every week by 5 degrees. You'll need chick start feed for them,I keep food available 24/7 and I'd probally use paper towels on the floor of the brooder for the first few days, switching to pine NOT cedar shavings. They'll be able to got out to the coop in about 6 to 8 weeks. Make sure you offer them and keep fresh water in the brooder too. Good Luck!

 

[OutInTheStiks]

I'll add to gonzo&hispeeps excellent advice by recommending this link from the BYC Learning Center.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-first60days.html

 

[AndreaS]

For a really good overview, I like the free e-book on chick care @ mypetchicken.com
It covers all the basics.

Be sure to be ready early! You don't want to be scrounging around for your heat lamp when they come!

Enjoy the little ones.....

 

[midget_farms]

You need to make a quick trip to walmart.

I used (using) a storage container. Get one of the cheap ones with a lid.

Find a brooder light in the lightbulb area - they were $8 when I got mine a few weeks ago.

Get a 90 or 100 watt flood light - some people like the red ones but just a plain ol' flood light will do fine. Don't use floresent - you want the heat.

Cut out half of the storage container lid & cover it with hardware cloth or chicken wire. Then set the brooder light on top of this.

The chicks should be in this until they are old enough to maintain their own temp. Usually 4 weeks but it depends on your birds & the climate.

Free feed them - you need to get a chick feeder & waterer. Chicks & chickens in general will drown as easy as they walk - don't put a bowl of water in there or you will kill them all. You can buy these online or at the local farm store. They run about $2.00 each & use a mason jar to hold the food. If you don't have any jars the bottles are available too.


Cover the bottom of the brooder with wood chips (don't use cedar - cedar is bad for them) or newspaper or paper towls etc. If the floor is slick the chicks will break their legs.

Then change the shavings every other day or so. Once you are set up it really is very simple. Just change the water daily & make sure there is food. They do the rest!

 

[cluckcluck42]

I user a rubbermaid storage tote and it is great!
Good luck with the babies.

Also- make sure you dont use shavings from the get go, I use paper towel for the first days and then switch to shavings. And put rocks in your waterer because chicks can try to get in and drown in the first few days apparently.

 

[KathrynB]

Thank you for all the help! Do i need to give the chicks grit? also, as I live in suburbia, do i need to clip their wings?

 

[midget_farms]

no grit needed if you feed them chick starter/grower food.

Clip the wings. Doesn't hurt them & keeps them from jumping too high. They can't really fly but they may be able to get over a fence if it is low enough.