Been awhile...forgot some stuff!!!

[Longview]

I am aiming for the end of March to bring in chicks. I will probably order from Ideal or MMH because I have a very specific wish list, lol!

I remember that I put the chicks immediately onto newspaper in a tote, but it is so messy. How soon could they go onto cob or sawdust?

I may have as many as 25 chicks and have the outdoor space to accommodate that many adults. They will be layers or duals. How many nest boxes will I need? I was given our last one that had WAY more nests than I needed so I never thought to ask.

 

[Apyl]

I'm new to chickens but it is my understanding that during the first week to use paper towel because news paper can cause splayed legs. Also 1 nest box can accomidate 7 chickens, but to also provide other roosts for them to sleep on. Good luck on your chics.

 

[chickenmanII]

You should have about 1 box for every 4 hens. Alot of times you will have more than 4 lay in 1 box but it doesn't matter as long as they have the room if they need it; and I'm not sure bout the chicks, but i think its after a day and they start eating you can put them on bedding of some kind. The reason you use paper is so they eat the food not the shavings; once they learn that they will be fine.

 

[Longview]

Thank you both! Apyl, I am pretty sure I did use paper towel at first. I can't really remember, but I never had any splayed legs. Thanks for the reminder! ChickenmanII, that is what I thought (about the bedding), but better to be safe than sorry, right?

 

[chickenmanII]

Absolutely: my wife and i actually just got our chicks 2 weeks ago, so far they're doing great. We also started back up after a long break; we took bout 7 years off then got back into chickens so we had to research a lot too. Good luck with your chicks when you get them.