Chicks coming in the mail, what do I do?

[sixlittlechicks09]

I did, but there isn't much information about what to do with chicks RIGHT after you get them.

 

[KentuckyChick]

Quote:
I lurked on this board a LOT before I made the order. I would think of stuff and type it in the search box, and still do. It's helped me find a lot of answers!

 

[gryeyes]

Set your brooder up the day before you expect the chicks to arrive. This includes the heat lamp, so you have an appropriately warm section and a cooler section for them to get away from the heat, if necessary. Make sure the heat lamp is SECURELY fastened so it CANNOT fall into the brooder!!!

Make yourself a nipple waterer - that will keep the water fresh and clean and they cannot kick litter into it or poop in it. Put the feeder up on a brick so the chicks have to hop up a tad to get to it, and won't kick as much litter into the feeder. They'll still poop in it, though....

Plan to spend a lot of time just watching them. You won't be able to help yourself.

 

[sixlittlechicks09]

Quote:
Agree. Do you have a place prepared for them?

Yes. I have chick feed, a brooder, a waterer, a feeder, ect., everything they need. This isn't my first time raising chicks, this is just my first time ordering them through the mail. I typically buy chicks locally, so they've got a 15 minute max trip from store to home. I've got a flock right now of 18, all successfully hand raised as day and week old chicks. My question isn't "How do I raise chicks" it's "Do I need to do anything special for them that I wouldn't do with locally bought chicks when I get them, due to the stress of shipping?" I don't mean to sound snippy, but I just want it to be known I am well prepared for chicks, I have raised chicks before, I know what to do with these chicks once they are "settled in" just not if I need to do anything specific for them immediately after the arrive.

 

[noodleroo]

Lots of us feel like you do, SixLittleChicks09. When I got the email that my chicks had shipped, I was so excited I couldn't sleep. I took treats for the PO for the workers the day before and made sure they had my phone number to call me right when they arrived. I really hadn't expected to feel that way. Three PO workers called me the next morning and I raced to the post office to get them.

I didn't know what to expect when I opened the box and it was a surprise; I ordered 11 buff orps. and they included 10 silver laced wyandottes as packing peanuts! 21 chicks and I really only wanted 4! All very lively and I didn't loose any of them to the shipping experience. Just get them home and into the brooder, make sure they are eating and drinking and keep an eye out for pasty butt just like you would chicks picked up at the store.

Now, thats better isn't it? Just get us pics as soon as you can tear yourself away from the side of the brooder to get the camera!

 

[sixlittlechicks09]

Quote:
Ahhhhh

that is better. Haha, I am SO EXCITED! Our PO guy looked at me like I was crazy, but assured me he would call as soon as the package came in. I'm almost hoping they don't come in on the early truck just because I'm not a morning person, but I can't WAIT. I'm just snippy and frusterated because I've been waiting so long

Thanks for the good wishes