- Oct 26, 2009
- 89
- 1
- 39
I ordered chicks from the Cackle Hatchery. They arrive this morning, all safe and sound at our post office. The mail carrier called me special at 7am and brought them out to my car (she is such a sweetie).
Only instead of 20 chicks, there were 23. Which it seems isn't bad. I ordered 20 because I was too afraid of cold in transit and didn't want to loose several and have to reorder if I was short.
So, rule number one in these cases is that you read some instructions. Really, because all that information does actually pertain to you.
I don't need no stinkin' instructions.
Instructions tell you not to handle them for 24 hours. We handled all of them, made use of photo ops, and took them into the back yard to explore.
So rule number 2 is to not step on the chicks. The instructions don't tell you that, but it's a good rule. RIP Luce Jr.
I followed rule number 3, so we'll skip that one.
Rules 4 and a couple other cover water and food. They have tricks to help them find water, spread food on the ground to make it easy. All of the day old chicks (except Luce, of course) took to the feeder and waterer like pros. They just ran right up and started hammering away. I noticed though, that it really takes just one to do this, and the rest come running after.
Oh, and that water is supposed to be 98 degrees. So, I changed the ice water to warm tap water immediately. Seemed to perk up those guys. Added the suger that was suggested for a hard trip.
So far I have observed:
My Day Old Chicks shiver when cold, but they shouldn't have to do that so you find a heating lamp. You should have read the instructions on the web and already had this set up.
Chicks try to eat poop. It's yucky, they seem to spit it back out, try not to think too much about it.
They try to eats dots. Like on the paper, specks on other chicks, eyeballs, anything that might possibly have a remote connection to food.
My Day Old Chicks are fun to watch.
Day Old Chicks jump up suddenly and run around in a circle before finding another snuggie spot to settle down in. (Not sure why the first one wasn't any good)
My Day Old Chicks jump on other chicks, try to walk/fly across the other chicks for no apparent reason.
They don't know to lower themselves on the ground before falling asleep. They go to sleep, then fall. Then look shocked.
My Day Old Chicks get wet with their water at first. I read you can use a blowdryer to dry them up warmly. They look puny when wet.
Day Old Chicks don't seem to have the intelligence God gave a peafowl.
My Day Old Chicks really like that sugar water and are racing around their brooder to prove how much.
They peep a lot and loudly. Especially when you have them by themselves. Or when they turn and don't see anyother chicks even though they are right behind them.
My Day Old Chicks keep pecking at each other in sometimes random, sometimes determined patterns.
Those Chicks stretch out one leg then fall over.
There is no such thing as personal space, nor is there respect for sleeping siblings. I just watched one launch herself on top of 8 sleeping chicks.
A day old chick can catch bugs (albiet slow ones that hover conveniently near their heating lamp).
My Day Old Chicks are preening their fluff and scratching themselves. They aren't very good yet, each falls over repeatedly.
I can't wait for tomorrow.
I wanted to write this so those waiting their orders had an idea of how this first day is for a newbie.
