Chick Checklist

[Weasleymum]

OK-- I bought a big Rubbermaid container to use as the brooder, but now that I'm looking at it, it's really too nice. I think what I'll do is use this one to replace the one in the trunk of my car, and use THAT one as a brooder. (Old one, the lid doesn't lock on, just snaps.) I'm going to make this waterer: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...mount-a-nipple-waterer-for-your-chick-brooder, so I got a bicycle water bottle holder. Couldn't find a reusable water bottle that fit well in it-- they were all too fancy-- so I think I'll just use a regular disposable water bottle in it. That was my Target run! Nipples already purchased from Amazon, should be here Wednesday. Should be able to pick up chicks some time next week; since I don't know exactly when, my goal is to have everything set up for brooding by Saturday. (Not as easy as it sounds; I've got a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, and work weds-sat nights...)

 

[poultrylubber]

I would get some electrolytes. When I got my chicks one was almost dead she could not stand or drink. She get a little better as time went on but after two days I replaced to ACV water with electrolytes and within hours she was running around and eating and drinking. Plus my other chicks got some to and they are all healthy.

 

[Weasleymum]

I would get some electrolytes. When I got my chicks one was almost dead she could not stand or drink. She get a little better as time went on but after two days I replaced to ACV water with electrolytes and within hours she was running around and eating and drinking. Plus my other chicks got some to and they are all healthy.

Thanks! Where I work, they sell plain bottled water with electrolytes in it, would that work? Is there any reason I couldn't still add the ACV to it?

 

[Weasleymum]

Got my ACV at Rebecca's. Bit by bit...

 

[leesbunny]

Make sure that your ACV has "the mother" in it. I also give all my new chicks mashed garlic in the first few feedings. And I do the fermenting feed too, but it is not the sole source.

 

[Weasleymum]

Yep! I got the Bragg's.

Edited to add: had to buy it TWICE. Brought the bottle home and read all the good health info on the side, and told my husband I was going to put some in water for him to drink. Came back to the living room with a glass of water, and he says: no need-- he just swigged some out of the bottle. Guess it wasn't his fault that he contaminated the whole bottle, since I hadn't told him that it was mostly for the new chicks-to-come, but STILL.

So I bought a second bottle FOR CHICKENS ONLY, DO NOT GET YOUR NASTY MOUTH GERMS ALL OVER IT, at Whole Foods this morning, where (incidentally) it was quite a bit cheaper. Plus I get a good discount there, as an employee.

 

[Weasleymum]

Southern States this morning, got pine shavings, heat lamp, bulb, and the base (but not the quart jar) of the feeder. Almost there!

To do list:

get to Waynesboro for the feed (Thursday am)
drill ventilation holes in the container and lid
find a thermometer, and jar for the feeder
put waterer together and install in brooder

 

[fiddlebanshee]

If you are going to get grit make sure it is chick grit, not adult poultry grit as the stones are too big for chicks. Also, if you're not planning on feeding them anything else than the chick feed they don't need the grit. If you're going to feed mealworms, greens or other stuff, that's when they need the grit to grind it down.

The feed you are getting, is it chick feed? Medicated? if not you may need to have some corrid handy in case they get cocci which can kill chicks pretty quickly. The amprolium in chick feed will increase their immunity to this. I would not feed them adult feed yet, too much calcium.

I'm sorry if i'm stating the obvious but it wasn't clear to me from your posts.

 

[Weasleymum]

If you are going to get grit make sure it is chick grit, not adult poultry grit as the stones are too big for chicks. Also, if you're not planning on feeding them anything else than the chick feed they don't need the grit. If you're going to feed mealworms, greens or other stuff, that's when they need the grit to grind it down.

The feed you are getting, is it chick feed? Medicated? if not you may need to have some corrid handy in case they get cocci which can kill chicks pretty quickly. The amprolium in chick feed will increase their immunity to this. I would not feed them adult feed yet, too much calcium.

I'm sorry if i'm stating the obvious but it wasn't clear to me from your posts.

Thank you! The feed is not medicated, but it is formulated for chicks. I understand about the grit-- I want to get them used to eating 'treats' and using table scraps to help them warm up to us (especially my sons), but I didn't know that chicks had special grit. Guess I'll track some down! Southern States' selection of chick stuff was just awful this morning, bare shelves.

 

[onebusymom]

re: Where do you buy ACV?


I am able to find organic ACV at the grocery store.