Do baby chicks need a "house" in the brooder?

[newchickmom09]

Luna_Chick66 ~ Hello, glad you are getting into chicks, they are really greast little pets, if you put the time into them. I know some posts can be a touch on the ruff size but I take everyones post and say thanks.

Even through some of the "ruff" parts you can still find some good info. My chicks are now three weeks old that I was posting this post about and they have grown and done really well. I have a 1inx24in stick off of a misquite tree in there brooder that they loved to climb all over. They haven't roosted on it ever they like to lay and sleep. I put paper towels down over my pine shaving for the first week then took them away and the chicks loved playing in the shavings. I put grit in there brooder at this time in a seperate feeder. My kids 2 and 4 years old have held every chicks every single day from the first day we got them.

Now they love everyone.

Don't get intimidated as you can see most everyone on this forum is very helpful and happy to help.

ASK AWAY!!!

 

[Critter Crazed]

Quote:
Your post is so warm and inviting.

Hi, I'm a stoopit newb. I just got my baby chicks (8 of them) the other day. I have done lots of reading prior to getting my babies, but came here to get actual hands on experience.

I will try not to be such a burden with my newbie-ness. This is my first backyard PET flock.

EXACTLY Luna_Chick. What she said!

I have read about three books altogether on raising chicks but I thought I'd come on here to ask people with experience.

Sorry for using the forum. Of course I wouldn't just all of a sudden buy a bunch of chicks and throw them in a box. Actually I have read that book that everyone has mentioned. It has a lot of good info in there. I'd recommend it too.

Anyways, I've been told by experts to use hay and it's worked for me so far. They love to play in it and when I switched them to hay they seemed happier. Although it's hard to clean and not as absorbent as wood chips. I used wood chips for the first two weeks and then switched to hay. IMO that's a good way to go.

BTW I have read that roosting when little can harm them so I wouldn't put a roost in there just yet. Maybe when they are a little older but I never had a roost in with my chicks. And I think having toys in there would be cute.

They'd probably just jump and poop on them but still, gives them a little something to jump on. Just as long as they can't harm themselves.

 

[Luna_Chick66]

Quote:
LOL.

I guess there's always one in a crowd, right?

Anyway, sorry my first post was like that, but I am not sorry for what I said.

I will try and behave myself the best I can.

I just want my chicks to be happy and healthy and live a long, long time.

 

[Critter Crazed]

Quote:
LOL.

I guess there's always one in a crowd, right?

Anyway, sorry my first post was like that, but I am not sorry for what I said.

I will try and behave myself the best I can.

I just want my chicks to be happy and healthy and live a long, long time.

Oh! I wasn't replying that to you, I was replying to rancher hicks' comment.

Not you. I was agreeing with your post. I'm sorry for the confusion!

Me too Luna_Chick66 and what better way than to ask the experts when you have a question?

Sorry back on topic lol. I'd put a house in the brooder if I had one. Gives something more for them to do. I mean, why not? As long as they can't hop on it and hop out of their brooder or hurt themselves or anything.

 

[Luna_Chick66]

Oh I knew what you meant!

Thanks for the warm welcome, newchickmom09 and Critter Crazed.


I am digging my new chicks and they are all doing great.

 

[Biddylover]

Quote:
Your post is so warm and inviting.

Hi, I'm a stoopit newb. I just got my baby chicks (8 of them) the other day. I have done lots of reading prior to getting my babies, but came here to get actual hands on experience.

I will try not to be such a burden with my newbie-ness. This is my first backyard PET flock.

I'm sure ANY and ALL questions are welcome here, afterall this is a board about 'How to Raise Chickens In Your Urban or Country Backyard'. Some posts may come accross as harsh, or be harsh for that matter, but still this is an open forum. I am new myself and I ask questions all the time, just keep jumping in. No matter how much we 'read' up it is always comforting to come to a place where you feel you have something in common... our cute little chickens

 

[Biddylover]

oh and my 6 day old little EE's are in a rabbit cage, I love being able to use the pine shavings below and not worry about them eating them. They have a towel to lay on at night time food, water and a lamp light no red light. We were gong to get one but just didn't at the time, second time around no expert here on raising chicks but my first survived this way and these little buggers seem to be doing fine.

 

[Sissy]

I have always used the paper towels over the wood shavings. and they enjoy it and the small twigs . never had a problem.



rancher hick stay away from the caffine for a while LoL
We all learn as we go.
and it can be read
on Byc.

 

[chickenchik12]

i gave mine a little glass box^^^but i put like a little kitchen towel over it so they can sleep works magic for the happieness

 

[write2caroline]

I have to agree with the rancher hicks as far as it is a good idea to read up before the chick come - knowledge is power.

There is a lot of good info on this web site and on the hatchery web sites, my chix came from MPC and they had lots of good info about what to expect, what you need supply wise and kind of a week by week care guide.

I think the chicks don't need toys or houses. If people want to add them others should be okay with not adding them. Chicks are fine without toys. They are wired to look for food unlike a cat who uses play to learn to hunt prey. Some animals are playful because of intelligence. But they don't need toys - even kids don't need toys - truly. They need play but the actual toy is not necessary.

The chicks need draft free but good ventilated safe area with some type of medium not cedar, access to food and water until they feather out and can go into a coop where the daily fresh water and full clean food is still a requirement - some level of sanitation and protection from predators.

We can love them but will still thrive with out our love, if there needs are met!

All this with one CUP of ravensbrew Skookum coffee!

I do love my chickees and I meet their daily needs!

I hope they are glad to see me and on some chicken level - I hope they love me back a little but I don't require their love. Just there eggs soon I hope! (First egg count down due around September 27th)

cal
jax fl