Cock-a-doodle doo... I’m new!

[drumstick diva]

Thank you for joining us at Backyard Chickens, hope you will enjoy it as much as we do.

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and good luck with your chicks.

 

[HAPPYCHICKENLADY17]

Hi everyone.

On a whim, I ordered four chicks from a lawn and garden place. They are due to arrive in mid and end of March. I have spent the last 6 days obsessively reading about everything I can regarding chicks and chickens. I’ve also ordered my coop, my run, feeding/watering supplies and still figuring out the best brooder set up. I will have to have a separated brooder for a week as I will be receiving 2 chicks one week and two chicks the next. I have reserved an Ameraucana, a black Australorp, a salmon faverolles and a buff Silkie. They’re supposedly all female, but i’m Holding my breath on the silkie and Ameraucana. i’ve Found myself on this website daily and got a lot of useful information. We live in Western PA. I’ve got three young kids (9,7 and 3). I’m hoping the chickens will draw them away from their electronics and bring them outside more. We have two cats, two hermit crabs and a dog who is most likely living out his final months/year. Anway, happy chicken-keeping!

You will love your chickens, i started out with 4, then it was 8, then it was 12, then 14...now its 17.......i range from 1yr old hens to 4 week old chicks.....i have 4 different coop set ups for the different ages....cant wait for them all to be intergrated.....i am finding it a bet difficult at times.....but they are great...love them all..i have 4 barred rocks, 2 white plymouth rocks, 2 olive eggers, 2 ameraucanas, 2 easter eggers, 2 silver laced wyandottes and 3 buff orphingtons.......so good luck.....enjoy!!!

 

[ronott1]

You will have a lot of very pretty eggs!

 

[Hen Pen Jem]

Greetings Shellebelle920, Welcome to BYC!

 

[Shellebelle920]

View attachment 1669804
Will you be brooding in the coop or in the house?
How big is the space you'll be using?

I have used the largest size rubbermaid tote as a brooder and that worked well, but now I have a section in my coop that can easily be converted to a brooder. I also use a Mama Heating Pad as a more natural heat source instead of a lamp. That method simulates a broody hen, chicks are exposed to day/night cycles and also to cooler air when they feel like it... it helps them acclimate and feather out quicker.

Other things to include in the brooder:

• Feeder with chick starter
• small waterer placed up on a brick to keep it cleaner
• chick grit in a separate container (just a small amount)
• a little perch
  
• shallow container with sand or untreated potting soil for dust baths
• mirror for chicks to admire themselves

After about a week or 2, I put in a chunk of sod from outside to help chicks start building immunities to their new environment. Short trips outside to the grass are also helpful.

These articles have more information you may find helpful:
Kick The Heat Lamp: Better, Safer And Healthier Options To Heat Your Brooder
Brooding Chicks: The First 6 Weeks
You Certainly Can Brood Chicks Outdoors

Have fun with your babies when they arrive!

 

[Shellebelle920]

Thank you! That is all so helpful! As of right now I have ordered two covered heating plates (long story but I may cancel my first order and reorder from a farm that has the different breed chicks in on the same day). So I may return one of the heating plates. I also ordered a nipple feeder to put on the heating plate as well as Purina Grow and Feed medicated. As of now, my plan is to put kitchen liner down with paper towels on top for the first week, and the. Switch everything over to construction-type sand (not fine). I hadn’t thought about a mirror or a perch. Love it! Thanks for the idea!

 

[Shellebelle920]

View attachment 1669889

You will have a lot of very pretty eggs!

Thank you! I hope that is the case!

 

[Shellebelle920]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
What coop did you order? Most pre-fab coops aren't worth the box they're shipped in!

I looked into attempting to make one myself, but I didn’t think I would have the time to do it. I ordered the OverEZ medium chicken coop and a rugged ranch welded metal run. Of everything I researched, these had the best reviews, so I’m hoping it works out!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC

Here are some links to key resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - announcements-feedback-issues-guides.3
• Great resource for beginners = https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/learning-center.11/
• Good starting point for browsing the site - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/
• Interesting feedback on how members manage their flocks -https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/topic-of-the-week-thread-archives
• Excellent source of local information - Find your State's thread.

Best wishes

Pork Pie