Chick obsessed!

[SouthCityChicken]

Hi! I'm Holly and I'm a chick addict. I've spent a shameful amount of time lurking, reading posts, and thinking about fuzzy butt chicks.

I'm getting my first couple or three this weekend from a farmer in the area. I live in the city and haven't decided how many over the legal limit I want to risk. We have a four pet limit in the city and my dog and two cats are already hogging three of the four. One is within my pet limit, but that seems lonely. I feel like two or three would be better.

I'd like 10, but that's probably really pushing it! Maybe if I get the same color, it will look like one bird

I am thinking I will get Black Star since the girls are identifiable by color. I'm nervous about getting a rooster by accident! I get attached easily and I don't want to have to re-home a beloved noisy pet.

I've been making my supplies checklist and so far I have:

brooder box (I'm using a galvanized tub)
pine shavings
starter feed
water/food dishes for chicks
lamp/light

Am I forgetting anything? I'm a nervous nesting mother!

The chicken coop is about 1/2 way finished with construction and hopefully will be finished in the next month. It's about 5 ft wide x 3 ft deep x 4ft. tall with two levels. A roosting/nesting spot above and a run below. I'm making a run that will be 3 x 3 x 5 and detachable so I can use it as a tractor, but they will free range as much as possible.

 

[backyardmenagerie]

1) 1 dog
2) 2 cats
3) 10 chickens...
I only count 3 pets

Looks like you have everything you need! Congrats, I bet you're looking forward to this weekend.
Oh, and

 

[SouthCityChicken]

Oooh, I like the way you do math! Thanks

I am super excited. I feel like a little kid. I can't wait to snuggle my babies. I hope I can sleep between now and then!

 

[sfw2]

Yup, welcome to the wonderful world of chicken math!

And

 

[ralleia]

That's a pretty good checklist. Regarding the lamp, with only a few chicks I wouldn't get a special "heat lamp." I've got three red 250-watt bulbs kicking around, never used.

Instead, the one that I do use has a ceramic light socket and aluminum reflector. It is rated to handle a 250-watt heat lamp, but since I start my babies indoors anyway (and have never had more than 30 chicks at a time) the biggest lamp I've ever used was a 70-watt bulb.

 

[SouthCityChicken]

Good tip on the light!

They will be indoors. Theoretically, they are going in the garage, but I don't think I'll sleep if I can't easily check on them. I *might* put them on my nightstand. Am I a crazy chicken lady already?

 

[SIMPleChick]

Ok....here is the thing. NO ONE does math the right way when it comes to animal laws.... Where I live...we are allowed 3 animals. I know we are allowed 3 chickens, but I don't know if that is separate from house animals. Anyway! My friends sister visited her last week and said "OMG! How many cats do you have?" My friend said. "2!" Her sister looked around with a puzzled look on her face counting the 4 cats she really has! LOL She has 2 dogs and 4 cats. Down the street a lady has 6 chickens and 3 ducks. Her back yard is chain link, up against a popular park. No one has complained about her in the 8 years she has had her animals! Across the street a guy breeds rats and snakes! Yuck! But you know they must have dozens of them snakes and rats! On the corner, a lady has cats, fish, snakes, rabbits and breeds dogs. Anyway...when people ask me how many chickens I have, as they try to talk to me through my 2 dogs barking at them, I will say "3! I have 3 chickens!" When in reality I have 11! (3 of them are already turning into boys so we will have to find new homes for them...) I have a good size yard for being in a city area and will be getting privacy slats for the chain link fence along one side of my house. SOOOOO....The point of my story! Your neighbors hopefull won't turn you in cause they are doing the SAME thing, just without chickens! If I get worried about the party, renters in the back of me I'll try to give them eggs or tell them I won't complain about their loud music and partys at 4 in the morning anymore! LOL!

P.S. This is my first rodeo with chickens. I have 2 week olds up to 5 week olds, they get along great and I have not lost one. I feel lucky. Don't forget to give them love and attention!

 

[Arielle]

Nice job planning ahead for your little additions! Definitely get 2 or more. We have one, she was in need of personal space that was safe from the other birds she lived with--anyway, she's lonely and spends her time mostly with the sheep. She get's to steal their food and hang out with buds! Instead of 2, get 3, just in case a friend departs for the great beyond. FYI. Enjoy them!

 

[SouthCityChicken]

Thanks everybody! I'm glad to see that chicken/pet math is universal. The only neighbors who will really be able to see them much will be the kids next door and I have a feeling they're smoking lots of funny cigarettes over there, so I don't think they are the most keenly observant. I do have one other neighbor that will be able to see and does have a fairly good-sized dog. I'll have to keep an eye on him. I'm sure if the pooch was properly motivated he could make it over the fence. On the plus side, his owner plays his music way too loud most days, so I don't think he will be complaining about noise or anything like that.

I have a Border Collie mix, any tips for acclimating the chicks and the dog? I'm a little worried he might be a little over-zealous in his herding techniques. He's a very gentle dog in general, good with my cats and puppies, but chicks are totally new for him and much tinier. I am wondering about my rescue kitty, Bad Cat, he has brought me more baby bunnies than I would like to admit to or count. I'm not totally clear on whether or not he was trying to rescue them or bring me a present. I don't think the bunnies appreciated it either way though. My other kitty, Mr. Wobbles is "special needs" with lousy depth perception and only 3 teeth, so he's not much of a threat. Any tips for the dog or the cats?

 

[Domestic_goddess]

You have officially joined C.A.C !!! Chicken Addiction Club Good luck to you!