Finally got my chicks!!

[Who922]

Hi, this is my first post. I finally got my 25 baby chicks in this morning. I put them out in the part of the coop for the chicks. Now my question. I made a concrete floor for the 6ft circular are for the chicks. Do I still need to put Pine shavings or something similar out for them, or will the concrete be fine? And if I do need to put the shavings out, do I just keep them away from being directly under the heat lamp? Thanks in advance. I already love this site and I'm happy to have chickens!

 

[CCourson05]

For the first week, I would put paper towels down... That is to let them get used to what their food looks like.
After that, I would put pine shavings down. Simply because it gives them something to scratch in and absorbs poop moisture so they aren't getting wet from the uric acid in their waste.

ETA: also, I put mine under the lamp... But that is up to you due to fire hazards... I think if it is securely attached to something, and can't fall... The brooder under the lamp should be no higher than 98 degrees. So the shavings won't spontaneously combust from that heat.

 

[mallory2013]

Yes they need shavings. They poop a lot and it can hurt their little feet if there isn't something soft to stand on. You don't have to worry toom much about the shavings with the heat lamp, unless the heat lamp falls on them. Good luck with your babies! Post pictures please!!

 

[Who922]

Thanks, yes the light is securely suspended from the ceiling. I put newspaper down today because that is what the hatchery said to do. I will pick up the pine shavings to put down in a few days.

I will take some pics when I get home. i know I got one Turken. They are so cool! I had to take an early lunch break and get them all set up when the post office called me!

 

[CCourson05]

I would put paper towels down. The newspaper is very slippery and can cause spraddle legs.

 

[Who922]

I put the shavings down and they are very happy. I lost two on the second day. They didn't look so good out of the box. i tried really hard to get them going, but they never caught up. i think one of them was my exotic since it didn't look like any of the others. It's pretty amazing how much they are already changing! I was going to post a couple of pictures i took, but i don't see a way to attach.