Chick Questions?

[skips]

I've had chickens on and off for about five years- our last ones, sadly, were killed by a possum early July. We've torn down the old coop, and have plans for a bigger, better one! We're going to be getting around 5 new babies (probably more, according to chicken math!) one we finish coop construction. And this time around, we want to do everything as perfect as possible, and I have a few questions.

What bedding would be best for the brooder?

Since I'm still in school I'll be gone til about 3, and I'm going to be the babies' primary caregiver. If I set aside an hour or two every day for my chickies, will that be enough 'bonding time' to make them people friendly?

Will they need any supplementary foods or vitamins besides starter feed?

That's about all I can think of (for now!)

Thanks in advance!

 

[skips]

Hello? Anybody?

 

[kellanv]

For bedding I have used pine shavings with good results and put a paper towel down for the first couple of days to keep them from eating them.

As far as time one hour should be plenty but I haven't tried to make them super cuddly or anything. I let them be chickens!

Take all this with a grain of salt. My first girls are about a month old. All healthy so far though!

 

[fried green eggs]

Hi &

Glad you joined us! I use news paper in my brooders for the first week. Once they have chick feeder and water figured out and are all walking well then, I change them to pine shavings. Several layers of newspaper is easy to keep clean for the little ones, just wad up the top sheet and next layer looks new. Make sure the brooder is large enough so, chicks can move away from heat light if, they are too warm. Chick feed is a complete feed. You can buy medicated chick feed or regular and add medication to water for first few weeks to two months. If you spend a hour a day with your chicks - they will get very tame. Good Luck and have fun looking at all the coops and getting the best ideas for your new dream coop!