First chicks, questions already!

[getaclue]

Careful with the treats, but yes, they grow overnight it seems, and they are amusing as all get out when 1 gets a treat. Don't worry. They will get used to the scary monster branch you put in there, and begin jumping on it. They'll forgive you.

 

[llombardo]

I'm on my 3rd set of chicks(they are 8 weeks old now). All groups were different. None of them ever had 95 degrees. I watched them and adjusted the heat accordingly. The middle group was slightly older and they only had heat for like 2 weeks.

The second two groups started in a large bird cage with a "perch" that served as a roost. Middle group used it after a couple days(at about 1.5 weeks old). This last group were roosting at 2 days old. They moved to an extra large dog crate and I put a ladder meant for a reg large bird and a roost bar--hung the water. When they started knocking over the food--it was time for a bigger area.

They went outside earlier thenThe other two groups and loved the coop immediately. The first two groups rebelled against me last year and I had to bribe them or catch them to put in the coop. This group go in 15 minutes before dark on their own. Completely different.

So you have to watch them, they will let you know what they need

 

[llombardo]

My chicks are doing well! I swear they are growing overnight, every night. Today I put a small branch into the brooder, and they all fled to the top of the MHP, where they sat and stared at the branch for about 10 minutes, daring it to attack. (It didn't.) Later I put a few baby lettuce leaves into their food tray, which they also approached with trepidation. My little Gold-Laced Wyandotte got hold of a tiny piece, and the rest chased her around, trying to get it, leaving the rest of the lettuce where it was. These gals are a riot!

Thanks all for your helpful comments. I'm feeling much more confident.

Wait until they are outside and one finds a worm...

 

[Spartan22]

Genius! No wonder they look so new and perfect.

What’s that in the rear box that looks a bit like a small birch log?

It was a birch log that they use for practice perching then I normally attach a perch on a corner or across after a week or so.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

It was a birch log that they use for practice perching then I normally attach a perch on a corner or across after a week or so.

I put a branch in my brooder, too. We haven’t hung one yet. Need to block the top edges better - my little GL Wyandotte nearly flew the coop today! I can imagine what a nightmare it would be trying to catch her.

 

[Angelaavant]

Interesting thread.

 

[Baby Chick Mom]

No signs of pasty butt, but I never checked. (In my defense, I’ve owned them for about five hours.). I did see another comment that suggested daily checking.

Thanks, @Chicka_deee ! Appreciate your input!

One of my 4-day old chicks got pasty butt, so keep checking them daily.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

Interesting thread.

Hi Angela! Welcome to BYC! You might want to post a thread in the Introduction thread - you’ll receive lots of welcome and some helpful hints for using the forum.

 

[Mary Chapman]

I check mine a couple times a day for pasty butt. You'll know of the chicks are to hot as they will move away from the heat, and to cold they will huddle together. You'll have healthier chicks with less of a chance of pasty butt by mixing 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon of water.