Covid-panic-induced chicken keeping?

[SusanME]

The only covid related part about our new flock is... my kids were signed up to be part of a 4-H egg entrepreneurship program that would have given them a reasonably big grant toward chicks and food... that got cancelled due to covid... so of course I said we could still get the chickens- we're just paying for all of it ourselves.

 

[New2COchicks]

This has been going on for almost 2 months where I live. Like you, my biggest concern is for the animals who might receive substandard care by novices who aren’t really interested in taking care of them once they are no longer cute little chicks but still months away from producing eggs. The other problem locally is that demand seemed to stop just as quickly as it started. I have half a dozen tractor supply store that sell chicks within a 30 min drive radius and all of them were selling out within minutes of each shipment. Now the closest one to me overestimated demand and ordered a huge shipment and they are not moving fast. They are doing a buy 2 get one free, removing previous limits on quantities and requiring people to buy at least 3 at a time (not sure if that was always a rule in place or something they just started).

I‘m waiting for the local classifieds to be filled with people trying to get rid of their pullets and cockerels over the next few months as people realize how much time and money you invest in these creatures. I also worry about an outbreak of chicken diseases since I live in an area that is mostly suburban with smaller yards. Close quarters, improper chicken keeping and exchanging of birds amongst each other as people lose and gain interest but don’t know how to spot disease or to quarantine newly acquired stock could lead to some real problems ☹

Hi
if I do get chicks I will use Medicated chicken starter fees. What else can I do to prevent diseases? Who do I take them to of sick? I do live in suburbs..so I shouldn’t have chickens? Please advise

 

[New2COchicks]

This has been going on for almost 2 months where I live. Like you, my biggest concern is for the animals who might receive substandard care by novices who aren’t really interested in taking care of them once they are no longer cute little chicks but still months away from producing eggs. The other problem locally is that demand seemed to stop just as quickly as it started. I have half a dozen tractor supply store that sell chicks within a 30 min drive radius and all of them were selling out within minutes of each shipment. Now the closest one to me overestimated demand and ordered a huge shipment and they are not moving fast. They are doing a buy 2 get one free, removing previous limits on quantities and requiring people to buy at least 3 at a time (not sure if that was always a rule in place or something they just started).

I‘m waiting for the local classifieds to be filled with people trying to get rid of their pullets and cockerels over the next few months as people realize how much time and money you invest in these creatures. I also worry about an outbreak of chicken diseases since I live in an area that is mostly suburban with smaller yards. Close quarters, improper chicken keeping and exchanging of birds amongst each other as people lose and gain interest but don’t know how to spot disease or to quarantine newly acquired stock could lead to some real problems ☹

What do You do with chicks to prevent diseases?

 

[Sara S]

yea i admit me too, but i have done months of research since last July and now I own 4 beautiful 5-week olds 2 delewares and 2 americaunas or easter eggers and my local tsc is stocked full of chicks people don't want the m as much in fl i guess

 

[rosemarythyme]

Hi
if I do get chicks I will use Medicated chicken starter fees. What else can I do to prevent diseases? Who do I take them to of sick? I do live in suburbs..so I shouldn’t have chickens? Please advise

Realistically most vets will not see chickens, so unless you're lucky enough to have one that will, you learn to take care of everything at home.

Best way to keep healthy chickens is to maintain a clean (but not sterile) environment, with ample space and ventilation, and fresh feed and water. Really no magic formula to prevent diseases or illness.

 

[Shezadandy]

What do You do with chicks to prevent diseases?

Especially as babies, keep their environment dry. Yes, there will always be spilled waters and so on, but one of your best friends in keeping chicks healthy is to keep their environment dry- all kinds of icky things grow in moist hot areas. Have Corid (it comes in several sizes/forms) on hand so chicks are treated at the first sign of illness... coccidiosis being the most common affliction- there's no worse feeling than seeing an ill chick in the evening and having to sweat it out until morning when the stores open. Same thing as they move out to their coop - giving them either enough room to roam or being able to move them to fresh ground regularly as with some of the smaller moveable coops.

 

[New2COchicks]

Especially as babies, keep their environment dry. Yes, there will always be spilled waters and so on, but one of your best friends in keeping chicks healthy is to keep their environment dry- all kinds of icky things grow in moist hot areas. Have Corid (it comes in several sizes/forms) on hand so chicks are treated at the first sign of illness... coccidiosis being the most common affliction- there's no worse feeling than seeing an ill chick in the evening and having to sweat it out until morning when the stores open. Same thing as they move out to their coop - giving them either enough room to roam or being able to move them to fresh ground regularly as with some of the smaller moveable coops.

Hi. Their coop can’t move so how would I make their ground fresh?

 

[Feth3r]

It’s the same here in Oregon where I live. My local farm store didnt even have chicken food last time I went so I’ve resorted to adding some fru fru feed into our monthly chewy order for the household pets. Are people hoarding chicken food or something? It doesn’t make much sense to me since I buy layer food and chicks don’t use layer food.

Im just waiting for the multitudes of free hens on next door so I can maybe add a few to my flock eventually.

 

[Shezadandy]

Hi. Their coop can’t move so how would I make their ground fresh?

If you plan to keep them fenced (many of us do) - if you get easily re-arrangeable panels such as chain link panels or dog panels similar to the link below as an idea, they can be moved around to parts of your yard. Chain link panels or the black wire kind can be arranged in many angles/shapes - craigslist is a great place to look for things like this as opposed to buying brand new. Or, make your permanent run nice and big.

https://www.amazon.com/Dog-Kennel-E...og+fence&qid=1589523830&s=pet-supplies&sr=1-9

 

[Shezadandy]

It’s the same here in Oregon where I live. My local farm store didnt even have chicken food last time I went so I’ve resorted to adding some fru fru feed into our monthly chewy order for the household pets. Are people hoarding chicken food or something? It doesn’t make much sense to me since I buy layer food and chicks don’t use layer food.

Im just waiting for the multitudes of free hens on next door so I can maybe add a few to my flock eventually.

Where are you in Oregon? I haven't had any issues getting feed.