Completely new chick owner

[Christinbe]

Well all the colored ones are gone. =[ We went there saturday and they were all gone, even the not colored ones. So we ordered three other ones. I ordered one Americauna, one Rhode Island Red, and one Rhode Island white. The colored ones were only 4 days old, so I am expecting the new ones will be about a week old or less.

I already got a lamp, a red bulb, pine shavings, a big cardboard box to put them in, chick starter food, a feeder, a quart-sized waterer, and I put newspapers on the bottom of the box and then I will put a few inches of shavings on top of that. I will clip the lamp on a post close-by, and then will test the temperature and make it higher or lower to 90 degrees and then decrease one temperature every day. I will post more when I get them! =]

-Christinbe

 

[Stormhorse23]

This will sound harsh, but read it...its important for your happiness and the chicks' lives....

Are you seriously wanting cute little chicks to cuddle for a little while or are you prepared to care for them for 10+ years...properly? ? I know the adults give eggs and such, but you might end up with chickens with less than perfect personalities. Will you still love them then? Will you still love them when they peck and bite you (which may very well happen)? Will you still love then when you are cleaning out a nasty coop?

If you are, then you're off to a great start! Everything sounds great and you better post pics when you get them!

edited for spelling.

 

[sweetshoplady]

Looking forward to seeing pics of your chicks! And chances are that in a few short months you'll be posting, proudly, your first egg pic!

Take pics as they grow! They almost grow daily!

Oh, yes, welcome to the forum!

 

[Christinbe]

In answer to your question, no I don't really care for chickens that much, but I guess I will have to live with it lol. =]

Well, I am going to actually get four! I was going to get the first one a week before the others because they hadn't come in yet, but I think it will be lonely, so I will get two on wednesday and two the week after that.

I have printed out two guides on chicks and I think I have the basics covered. I can just refer to them in time of need. I highlighted all the stuff that applies to me in one of them, because it is a lot about their very first day of life and stuff, and they will have already done that at the store or hatchery. =]

 

[Christinbe]

Yay! I cleaned the waterers and feeders, and set up the box. I clipped on the lamp, and the temperature in the corner is 92 degrees F. I hope that is okay?

 

[Moselle]

92* sounds good. If you watch them over a period of time, you'll be able to tell from where they congregate if it's a good temp. or too hot or too cold.

It sounds like you are going to have a very pretty flock! One thing that you may already know is that for the first week or two, it's better to have the chicks on paper towels than on newspaper. Newspaper tends to get slippery and the chicks' legs might get hurt or not develop properly - so go with papertowels or napkins.

I was a bit concerned about how I would feel about my chickens once they left that cute and cuddly fluffball stage. They are now 4 weeks old and so fun to watch. I have one chick who seems to be the brightest - she is always figuring out how to get into things and get out of places and leads the rest of them "astray".

Then I have another chick who will pick up a piece of pine bedding and start to peep. Then the other 6 chicks will start chasing her all over the place like she has something special. They all seem to think I'm their mom and start peeping and prancing around like crazy when I come into the room - I think they're begging for treats. I love to look at their beautiful "grown-up" feathers that are coming in.

Anyway, all that is to say - you might be surprised at how much you enjoy your chickens. At any rate, in about 5 months you'll have the most delicious scrambled eggs in town. Take pictures of them at least once a week to show us all!

 

[Cara]

You're better off forgetting about the shavings. They end up in the waterer and absorb all the water, leaving your chicks thirsty. Some chicks will also eat them, and this will block their digestive system and kill them.

 

[Christinbe]

Oh. I guess I'll return the shavings or something lol. So what do I use instead?

 

[Corey NC]

I've always used shavings from the beggining. There is always the chance though that the chicks will eat the shavings thinkthing they are food so using paper towels for the first week or two is a good idea.

Once they've figured out what the food is you shouldn't have a problem with them eatting it.

 

[Cara]

I use old towels for mine because I can wash and re-use them. Paper towels are good too, but they get shredded and wet quicker.