Chicks in 3 days... Freaking out.

[meknowscode]

Wow, how fun, hope it works out for you !!!! Just got a call today that my coop is ready to pick up!!

 

[JohnBerry]

Ron C., made some great points. I am learning and this forum has been so helpful. While we cannot foil the twists and turns of nature we can be prepared and have resources to fall back on. This forum is where I learn and where I come when in trouble.

I am sure you will do well. You are asking questions and learning which is all your chicks can ask of you. I am in love with mine. I even go in when they are sleeping and listen, They make the sweetest sounds. A friend who has been raising chickens for years says I will get over it when winter comes or the first one gets sick. We will see.

Good Luck! Let us know how things go.

 

[ConnecticutCowgirl]

Will do JohnBerry!

 

[jtbrown]

If it makes you feel any better, keep them warm but not hot, keep them dry and with food and water at all times, and protected from pets and predators and they will be fine. We worried about or first little ones so much, and they did great. You will occasionally have a loss (we had one with the 3rd group we raised from day old and I was upset, but I know nothing I could do, the others did fine) so prepare yourself for that and they will do great.

Good luck! Sounds like the people in that store were great. Most people think we "chickens" are a little crazy but willing to play along to help!

 

[ConnecticutCowgirl]

jtbrown- thanks for that, made me feel a lot better. Setting up the brooder tomorrow for the chicks on Tuesday. Bought a 250 red heat lamp today, do you think that will be sufficient for 6 chicks?

 

[RonC]

I used a 125w in early spring so yes the 250w will work. Just make sure they can get away from the heat and secure the lamp well from falling. You don't want baked chicks.

 

[yo burrill]

Over kill on the large heat bulbs and a total waste of money to run. Those are designs more for use with 20 or more chicks. I usually have 7 to 10 and use a 75watt bulb. And a thermometer under the light to make sure its the right temp. You can get the red ones in the reptile section of Petco. The red bulbs reduce the tendency of chicks to peck at each other. They do settle in better at night with them too. But I am cheap and just use a regular bulb about 12 to 15 inches above the brooder box floor. When the chicks are tired they go to sleep. I use the bulb about two weeks if the temp in the house is above 70.

 

[EMcD]

Don't freak out!

We just started with chickens this past March -- with 3 chicks. For the first 2 months or so they were in a very large Rubbermaid bin. My husband used the grates from a nonworking box fan to make a cover with air flow. We had a red heat lamp, a chick feeder (and feed), a waterer, and pine pellets. That's IT!

We liked the pine pellets because as they were dirty or wet, they broke down into sawdust and settled to the bottom. When there weren't enough pellets whole on top, we changed it out.

We set up newspapers or old plastic tablecloths for them to run around on to get some exercise. Handle them a lot to socialize them and get them used to you. That's easy, you'll want to play with them a lot. Food, water, warmth, and dry beds -- that's all it takes. You'll love the little peeping.

They're now doing great (been out in their coop/run for months) and are laying eggs.

I remember freaking out too (we said to ourselves a lot "We have CHICKENS???!!!!!). But we love it.

This site is a wealth of information on any question you'll think of. Try not to obsess about coops (like I did)! Think about your space, budget, and handy abilities and get ideas from the wonderful posts here on coops. Then do what works for you. We got a coop from Craig's list from someone who keeps chickens and makes some extra to sell. Then my husband built the run to attach to it.

Enjoy it. At first we couldn't believe we decided to do this, now we're so glad we did and can't wait to add more chicks next Spring,

 

[Eggcessive]

I like to have on hand several light bulbs with a thermometer on the floor of my brooder. Indoors you may only need a 100 or 75 watt bulb. I use a 250 watt red in early spring, but used a 60 watt bulb in early summer. You need to be able to raise it also in case it gets too hot. Ditto on having a warm spot and a cooler area--they need lots of room after the first week. Put pine shavings down and then I put paper towel over it for a few days, so I can sprinkle some food on it and they know what their food is. Once they are eating well I take up the paper towel and they have the shavings which will keep things cleaner.

 

[ConnecticutCowgirl]

So, I bought a 250 watt bulb today... really cheap, so it wasn't a big issue. Also bought some puppy training pads and pine shavings for the first couple weeks. We are using a large watermelon box, so they will have space to escape the heat! Thanks for all of the feedback!!!!!!!!