Chick Order Panic Attack

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I think, in general, all babies are resilient. Chicks maybe more so than humans. They can be shipped cross country in a box, plopped in a brooder and they DO run around I've ordered online a couple of times, dealt with the same anxiety and then enjoyed the relief and utter cuteness when they did arrive just fine. Just try your best to forget about them until your USPS calls you to come and pick them up- easier said than done, I know. Good luck, this (the waiting) truely is the hardest part!
Nikki

 

[TinaG]

Guess you're right. No worries from here on out. Chickens and babies are resilient. And now the wait begins.

 

[Bellatrixed]

I definitely can relate to this! I am so nervous about my order shipping at the end of this month... it's kind of ridiculous! My brain keeps running through these "what if" scenarios since these forums are littered with horror stories of dead chicks. Even though I know it's irrational to get worked up about it since the hatchery I bought from will replace chicks, if the worst happens, I can't stop worrying anyway lol.

You have a nice breed selection, hope you get them all happy and healthy!

 

[Wishing4Wings]

Wishing4WIngs - I do think the chicken math got me. I downsized the coop but not my expectations of what I wanted to put in it. 9 is definitely too many, though even anticipating 1 roo and 1 doa, 7 I think is still going to be a stretch. I'll have 8 feet of roost space. The total is 24 sq. feet coop and 32 feet run, with several hours of free range each day. I think I need to realistically expect to rehome one more as the chicks grow to bring the number down to 6 or 7 at the most.

Thank you to everyone's very nice and reassuring comments. Does anyone remember bringing their first baby home from the hospital? I looked at my first son the day we brought him home and wondered "what the heck do I do now?" I can't believe a hospital actually shoves you out the door and on your way with a brand new human being and expects you to know what to do with 'em. In hindsight, baby people sound more resilient than chicks, though we don't ship our kids half-way across the country in a cardboard box, dump 'em in a brooder and expect them to start running around and peeping.

I remember when I was pregnant with my first and, while shopping for baby necessities, hubby said "I have a sneaking suspicion that it's easier to take care of him now than after he's born." Ha! That's because he didn't have to live with the nausea, aching joints, and having to use the bathroom every 15 minutes! And then the baby came 3 and a half weeks early, and we weren't ready at all.

I think baby chicks (like mice, bunnies, etc.) are born in large quantities to ensure some reach adulthood, and so the parents put relatively little effort into raising them (compared to humans), and so the babies are made to be somewhat expendable in the scheme of things.

As for your chicks, I wouldn't plan on losing one in shipping or one being a roo. I think these problems are more the exception than the rule, although it's good to be prepared for the possibility. You can use the vertical space in your run to make more room. We made a quickie platform out of a pallet and I've seen posts were people put in ladders, swings, and roosts. Big branches are fun for them. Anything that gives them a chance to get away from a possible bully. You can rotate things to keep them from getting too bored. It will all get covered with poop, but heck, you're getting chickens, there's gonna be poop! Better than changing baby diapers.

We have 3 four foot roosts in the coop, and the 11 hens all cram themselves on just 2, with the top one being the most desirable. Seems like no matter how you prepare, there will always be something you can't foresee or wish you had done differently. It will take a while to work out the kinks.

Expect the unexpected!

 

[mtnviewfarms]

Hi Tina - your post made my day! I had researched for over two years before making my first 'order' - also from Meyer Hatchery in Ohio. I've since ordered many more chicks from Meyer and have always been extremely pleased with the quality of both their chicks and their customer service. They also have a live guarantee so if any chicks are DOA they will replace them with your next order.

That was nearly three years ago and I felt EXACTLY the same sense of panic mixed with jubilant expectation and excitement that you describe when I pressed that place order button.

Not to worry Tina, when your chicks arrive you will have their little brooder box and heat lamp all set up and ready with the chick starter/grower crumble feed and a nice little feeder and waterer ( I use Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother - just a bit ) from day one onward - it seems to help strengthen their immune systems and general vitality. The chicks will know what to do - it seems like they come very well genetically programmed to do what they do best, look adorable, poop nearly all the time, run around and play and sleep in odd positions that will cause you to panic as they look dead but are not - usually just stretched out 'sun bathing' under the heat lamp.

Do check them regularly for the first five days you have them for 'pasty butt' which they can get and you will have to remove ( wet warm paper towel works for me ) as it can cause them to die if they can't get the poop out.

Originally DH and I just wanted a few chickens so we could have farm fresh eggs and I could sell any 'overflow eggs' at my local farmers mkt where I already set up a booth selling my handmade all natural skin care products.

I had no idea how infinitely interesting chickens and everything about them is to learn about - I can never get enough - suffice it to say chicken math has gotten the better of me in the last three years I've been a part of 'the wonderful world of chickens' and I now have over 100 of them. I have two flocks that are various Heritage Breeds plus Easter Eggers as I love the gorgeous large multicolored eggs my 'girls' produce! I have 10 Roosters as well. Sometimes I breed my Heritage chickens and I also sell started and POL pullets beginning in March as there is a huge demand for them in my part of the country and people will pay well for them - especially the Heritage Breeds and EEs.

You have made a great selection of breeds for your first flock. I started out with Barred Rocks and now have BRs, Welsummers, Black Australorps, RIRs, Buff Orpingtons, EEs and White Leghorns.

You are going to have so much fun with the chicken 'experience' - try to just relax and enjoy it - you will be a wonderful 'chicken mama'

 

[greatdanechick]

I am just beginning my 2 years of research so it's fun to read this post from someone on the other end of that journey! I keep thinking of coops, space, runs, names... All the fun design pieces and prep pieces but actually ordering chicks seems so crazy! No doubt in my mind I will be freaking out when it comes time to actually order mine, and I'm planning on 3 or 4 is all hahaha! Congrats new mama and best of luck!

 

[jessicaroo]

I've done it - I just placed my on-line order with Meyers for 9 chicks.  The earliest delivery I could get was first week in May.  I have spent literally 2 years looking at chicken websites and making lists of breeds, building a coop (not yet finished) and now I just did it.  I hit the purchase button on the screen and did it.  I think I'm having a panic attack. I don't remember being this freaked out when I married or got pregnant with my kids!  Those were much bigger commitments than this, relatively speaking.  Has anyone else had this problem? 

I was all planning to go with heritage and unusual breeds from several breeders but could never either limit my choices to what they had or when they had them available.  In the end I just went with Meyers based on their reputation, variety and all-in-one on-line shopping menu.  I liked the idea of starting with a mixed bunch for my first group of hens and see which breeds turn out to be my favorites and the best for my area and backyard set up.  What I ordered were 2 Australorp, 2 Barred Rock, 1 Easter Egger, 1 Speckled Sussex, 1 RIR and 1 Leghorn.  (What I really had my heart set on were heritage Barred Rock, Marraduna Basque, and Mille Fleur Leghorn.  Now I'm hoping one of my future hens goes broody and I'll try to hatch out eggs of the Basque or MFLH).

Oh Lord, what have I done!  There's no turning back now.  I'll post photos of my half-finished coop.  I had originally posted in the "Chickens on the Patio" thread but after a lot of thought decided not to convert the whole patio.  I'm building a 3 x 8 coop with an attached 4 x 8 run under the patio.  That will leave enough room for a few cages of meat rabbits (another future project).

Oh my gosh I'm not alone! My first ever chickens are due to arrive to me tomorrow from McMurray and I'm a nervous wreck! Do I have everything I need? I hope so! Will they all be okay? I really hope so! I haven't even got them and I'm panicky lol! You aren't along! Good luck with your new endeavor!