Chicks for the first Time

[Sharon Bee]

My babies outside for their first time. 4 1/2 weeks old.

 

[boyswillbeboys]

My babies are set to hatch in one week, I pick them up next Thursday. I am thinking that I will put a brooder box in the coop for the first couple weeks, until they outgrow it, then let them have the run of the coop, with the light available at all times (until the days and nights stay warm enough for them.) I am very excited about this, my first chicks.

 

[218403]

Thanks so much for the tips and the warnings. I'm nervous and excited for their arrival. I have 15 coming on Tuesday (12 Ida Browns and 3 Araucaunas) I will dismiss the sand ideas and go with the paper. We used to use those big roles of brown paper (like grocery bag material) when we had cavies. still have a ton since they passed a couple of years ago i'll give that a go. i'll post pictures when our girls arrive. off to build a brooder now .

 

[kynewbchickie]

Just make sure you tear up/shred the paper, whether it's paper towel or grocery bag material. The larger the shred, the better, but shredding it/tearing it up allows them to have better footing if it's wet with droppings.
Good luck to you all!!!

 

[218403]

Will do, thanks. Another questions for those of you who have your hens already in the coop... I know that they need a particular amount of light to lay eggs, but I have read that they also need a certain amount of dark too. When they are first put into the coop do I need to worry about dark at all?

 

[kynewbchickie]

I'm going with what mother nature provides as far as light/dark goes. I don't think I'll do the forced-molt early and then disrupt their winter cycle in order to bump egg production. It's a personal choice, only - so maybe someone else here who is adjusting light/dark artificially in order to boost egg production can give you some advice.

 

[Jaggs]

When is a good age to let your chicks start to free range? How old? Are there any concerns that I need to be aware of before doing this? Mine are 8 weeks old, 95% feathered, have always been in the coop and are starting to get a little stir crazy. I would like to free range them but I want to be sure they'll be ok and come back to the coop.

 

[Willaxbird]

Hi, every one, just gone thru' the discussion, my chicks(50) are due to arrive in 5 days time and am nervous, i felt i have not prepared enough. My booder is 5ft by 7ft made of wood and completely wrapped with wire mesh and polytene. The floor is made of pvc materials with woodshavens spread on top. The source of heat is four 200watts bulbs about 4 inches from the floor. Three feeding pans and three drinking cans. The brooder is completely air tight with little vent at the top. Do you think am ready for my babies?:/

 

[Jeanna Marie]

When is a good age to let your chicks start to free range?  How old?  Are there any concerns that I need to be aware of before doing this?  Mine are 8 weeks old, 95% feathered, have always been in the coop and are starting to get a little stir crazy.  I would like to free range them but I want to be sure they'll be ok and come back to the coop.

Are they in the coop yet or still in the brooder. Do they have access to a run. If not I would start with the coop with attached run until thwy start putting themselves up by themselves at night. Once they learn where home is they should be good to free range and come back at night.

Predators are a big concern. Hawks coons and dogs. Make sure they either have cover or places to hide from hawks. Make sure your yard is secure from dogs and other four legged predators.

 

[Jeanna Marie]

Hi, every one, just gone thru' the discussion, my chicks(50) are due to arrive in 5 days time and am nervous, i felt i have not prepared enough. My booder is 5ft by 7ft made of wood and completely wrapped with wire mesh and polytene. The floor is made of pvc materials with woodshavens spread on top. The source of heat is four 200watts bulbs about 4 inches from the floor. Three feeding pans and three drinking cans. The brooder is completely air tight with little vent at the top. Do you think am ready for my babies?:/

Turn your lamps on at least 24 houra before getting the chicks and use a thermometer to get the temp set. Sounds like you have a grear set up. They will need venilation so make surethey will ger plenty of air.