Chicks for the first Time

[missnu01]

Using sand as your brooder bedding makes a big difference with the amount of dust

 

[kynewbchickie]

Quote:
Ahh, boys will be boys! Give Steve time to come around and get used to that one eye. He'll put the other one back in his place in no time - and even if he doesn't, every leader has to make way for the new ones at some point! Glad he's doing well enough to fly up, eat, drink, and still be somewhat personable. If you can love on him at all, I'd suggest some one-on-one TLC for Steve. I've seen lots of love bring pets of any kind back from the brink and make them stronger than they were previously.

 

[DawgandLolita]

I am using a rabbit hutch for a brooder and it is working great. I have seven chicks and they have plenty of room to grow. The top comes up so it was easy for attaching a light and I added a perch through the wire in the corner for them. There also is a removable tray in the bottom for easier cleaning. This is my first time with chicks as well and learning as I go. They are 2 weeks old now and seem to like it. When they get a little bigger I will move them out, but for now they are in the house. I take them out everyday to "play" in the yard if the weather permits. I have limited space in my house as well so I hope this is helpful.

 

[Jeanna Marie]

I am using a rabbit hutch for a brooder and it is working great.  I have seven chicks and they have plenty of room to grow.  The top comes up so it was easy for attaching a light and I added a perch through the wire in the corner for them.  There also is a removable tray in the bottom for easier cleaning.  This is my first time with chicks as well and learning as I go.  They are 2 weeks old now and seem to like it.  When they get a little bigger I will move them out, but for now they are in the house.  I take them out everyday to "play" in the yard if the weather permits.  I have limited space in my house as well so I hope this is helpful. 

Sounds like a great brooder set up. I would like to have a more permanent set up for future chicks.

 

[Jeanna Marie]

Ok...we had a new issue arrise in the brooder last night. As yall know I have six chicks ranging in age from 3.5-4.5 weeks old. Well the 4.5 week old chick is trying to lay on the two smallest ones at night. They run from her/him but always get cornered and layed on. They don't appear to be getting hurt they jjust done wanna be layed on. Its not cold in the brooder. Any ideas why this chicken is acting crazy?

 

[kynewbchickie]

Ok...we had a new issue arrise in the brooder last night. As yall know I have six chicks ranging in age from 3.5-4.5 weeks old. Well the 4.5 week old chick is trying to lay on the two smallest ones at night. They run from her/him but always get cornered and layed on. They don't appear to be getting hurt they jjust done wanna be layed on. Its not cold in the brooder. Any ideas why this chicken is acting crazy?

I think it may be a "pecking order" thing. When I brought home the rescue EEs and Buff Orps from the hardware store, my Aussies and black Giants were older by 5-6 days. When they all got to roughly the same age as yours are, I noticed the same behaviors even though there were plenty of roosts and room available for them to all have a spot/space. A couple of the Aussies and one black Giant would lay on top of the younger ones, the younger ones would get away to another part of the brooder, and the same chicks would follow them and do it again. Now that they're out in the coop, I've noticed that my older chicks will "bump off" the younger chicks from the topmost roost. I do have both an EE roo (Bob) and Buff Orp roo (Duke, my fave) that aren't putting up with the bullying-type behaviors anymore from the older ones. They'll jump right back up on the top roost and "size up" the other chicks that bumped them off, kinda like they're saying, "I'm the man here, what are you gonna do about it?"

 

[Jeanna Marie]

I think it may be a "pecking order" thing.  When I brought home the rescue EEs and Buff Orps from the hardware store, my Aussies and black Giants were older by 5-6 days.  When they all got to roughly the same age as yours are, I noticed the same behaviors even though there were plenty of roosts and room available for them to all have a spot/space.  A couple of the Aussies and one black Giant would lay on top of the younger ones, the younger ones would get away to another part of the brooder, and the same chicks would follow them and do it again.  Now that they're out in the coop, I've noticed that my older chicks will "bump off" the younger chicks from the topmost roost.  I do have both an EE roo (Bob) and Buff Orp roo (Duke, my fave) that aren't putting up with the bullying-type behaviors anymore from the older ones.  They'll jump right back up on the top roost and "size up" the other chicks that bumped them off, kinda like they're saying, "I'm the man here, what are you gonna do about it?"

I have noticed that when we have nice days and they get to go play in the run there is less of this behavior. Maybe part of it is the confined space although they have plenty of room. And maybe a little boredom.

 

[Aussie-Chook]

I put our air purifier on right next to the brooder (indoors for now) to help keep dust at bay. It's only day 2 for us ... we'll see how well it works!
Using paper shreds for bedding - low dust, free from our shredder, and chicks love to peck at pieces!

 

[kynewbchickie]

Quote:
Yep, we don't see any of that behavior until they're in the coop for evening roost, or waiting for me to open the coop door in the mornings. While they're out in the pasture, they don't do anything other than "sizing up" one another - and that's limited to my boys. The girls tend to stick together, go with one another to investigate bugs or flowers, etc. - kinda like when a group of people go out on the town, all the girls have to go to the restroom together.

 

[schimbare]

Thanks, Lori,

I live in suburbia where there are no "farm" stores. There are only two people I know who have a few chickens in their yards. So it is not like I can ask the person in the store to help my choose supplies or whatever.

I am thinking of starting a Meetup group for chicken owners on Long Island.


Parenthetically, my town allows chickens, but no roosters. Other towns do not even allow chickens, which is odd since chickens are allowed in New York City.