Chicks for the first Time

[BlueMoonFarm]

I've been feeding my week-old girls a hard-boiled egg yolk every day since Friday. I am with you, Jeanna...I want them to be friendly, and hand-feeding the yolk has made me VERY popular with them!

It is amazing how fast they grow. I've only had them 5 days, and they have changed so much! When the arrived they were just 2-day-old little balls of fluff. Now they all have wing feathers and little tail sprouts. So cute! They are all busy practicing flapping their wings.

My brooder is about 6 feet long, and I had a divider in the middle thinking that for the first 2 or 3 weeks the smaller space would be better for them (one heat lamp vs. two, less space to clean, etc)...well, this morning I took the divider out at just one week! They immediately started racing from one end to the other, having a blast. I put a little tree branch and a couple stuffed animals in, and they have been having a grand time "flying" up onto their new toys.

It's so fun to see everyone's pictures...I will have to post some tonight.

 

[heby]

a few of my babies.

 

[Jeanna Marie]

...

I've been feeding my week-old girls a hard-boiled egg yolk every day since Friday.  I am with you, Jeanna...I want them to be friendly, and hand-feeding the yolk has made me VERY popular with them!    It is amazing how fast they grow.  I've only had them 5 days, and they have changed so much!  When the arrived they were just 2-day-old little balls of fluff.  Now they all have wing feathers and little tail sprouts.  So cute!  They are all busy practicing flapping their wings.   

My brooder is about 6 feet long, and I had a divider in the middle thinking that for the first 2 or 3 weeks the smaller space would be better for them (one heat lamp vs. two, less space to clean, etc)...well, this morning I took the divider out at just one week!  They immediately started racing from one end to the other, having a blast.  I put a little tree branch and a couple stuffed animals in, and they have been having a grand time "flying" up onto their new toys.

It's so fun to see everyone's pictures...I will have to post some tonight.
[/quote

Looking forwardto your pictures. I had to increase the size of my brooder. I nowhave two totes side by side with a hole cut out. One side for the food water and lamp and the other side for theplaying and roosting.

Not a sophisticated set up but they are enjoying the added space.

 

[Jeanna Marie]

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a few of my babies. [/quote How cute!

 

[dennymeyrand]

How soon should i start giving them a roost, more space, and treats?

 

[Jeanna Marie]

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How soon should i start giving them a roost, more space, and treats?[/quote

Istarted mine on boiled egg at about a week and a half. Anything more substancial I would wait until closer to three weeks and make sure they get plenty of grit.

As for roosts each chick is different I have week olds that will use them and two week olds that won't. I would go ahead and put a roost in and they will use it when they are ready.

 

[dennymeyrand]

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How soon should i start giving them a roost, more space, and treats?[/quote

Istarted mine on boiled egg at about a week and a half. Anything more substancial I would wait until closer to three weeks and make sure they get plenty of grit.

As for roosts each chick is different I have week olds that will use them and two week olds that won't. I would go ahead and put a roost in and they will use it when they are ready.

What about upping their space? I have a 4' x 8' brooder that is currently split in half. They are about a week old today. How often do you givethem the egg?

 

[Jeanna Marie]

What about upping their space? I have a 4' x 8' brooder that is currently split in half. They are about a week old today. How often do you givethem the egg?

You can go ahead and give them as much space as youwant. They will stay around the light if they need warmth they will stay under it. If not they will move around.

 

[missnu01]

The bigger the space the happier the chicks will br

 

[Lori S]

The adjoining totes is a good idea. I'm thinking I can attach a large cardboard box and do a similar thing. Thanks for the photos.