First Day with Chicks

[FlewTheCoop AK]

So this morning at 7:20 am the USPS called and said my chicks had arrived!!!!!! DH ran right over and got them while I warmed up the brooder. Happy to report that all 15+1 arrived alive and well, though I have read about a lot of DOA from shipping.

I got them settled, but had to go to work and sometime during the day, somehow one of the waterers leaked dry and soaked the paper towels and cedar chips. Hopefully, the cardboard box brooder won't disentigrate or mold. Other than that minor mishap, I think all is well. As this is my first time, I'm not sure exactly what to expect, but all of them seemed to eat and drink (and poop) throughout the day, though they freak me out when they just suddenly fall over unexpectedly and be asleep (?)

I got 4 RIR, 4 White Leghorn, 4 Black Australorp, and 3 Barred Rock + 1 mystery chick (first photo ---sorry poor quality). This little thing is the smallest of the bunch and has a furry/feathered leg. I have no idea what type of chicken this is. I hope the others won't pick on her since she is different!

Anyway, I'm now officially a chicken owner. Exciting.

 

[FlewTheCoop AK]

Pine chips!!! I meant Pine chips got soaked.

 

[annewandering]

We got ours yesterday! Immediately they got the paper we put over the woodchips soaking wet. Then they like to stand in the water. The dead flop they do on the spur of the moment is a bit disconcerting isnt it! I think they all have narcolepsy.

 

[Sharon Bee]

My little chicks are now 8 days old and have little wing feathers already. They are enjoying the kiddie pool brooder in our attached garage. I have a heat lamp on them steady but have raised it up about a foot as the weather too has become quite warm here in Southern Ontario.
My little ones flop down and stretch their necks out when sleeping. Lol.

 

[FlewTheCoop AK]

narcalepsy.

EXACTLY!!

 

[Cynthia12]

Congratulations on your new chicks!

I see that you are using a heat lamp. They get pretty warm! You have it up high..a good thing. You can use just a 75 W bulb, and they will be fine. Don't want a fire in the house..or garage.

All those wood chips, and a box at that for a brooder.

Put the water up on a board, they will get those chips in that water real quick. As you've found out. I also put the food up on a board too. They love to act like big chickens and scratch all around, throwing those chips every which way. Cute little stinks anyway. Right? Have fun!

Also, when you see chicks falling asleep close to the waterer, you may want to put rocks or marbles in the dish so they won't drown. Happens.

 

[FlewTheCoop AK]

thanks for the tips. Much appreciated.

 

[Sharon Bee]

It has now turned cold here. Heat lamp is up high enough from wood chips. Maybe about a foot and a half? My waterer is leaking. It's the twist on plastic kind. I found all the newspapers underneath were all wet. I had to take everything out and little chicks didn't like it.
Has anyone else had this problem?

 

[FlewTheCoop AK]

Are you not supposed to take it out? I've been taking everything out every day this week to clean the brooder. Not sure if this has stressed them out? I lost 3. One on Tuesday, One on Weds. and One on Thursday. Clearly I'm doing something wrong. One was really weak (the feather footed little guy) right out of the bsox and he was the first to go. Another black one also seemed weak the first day, but sprang back the second day and then died on the third (not sure if this was a barred rock or black australorp---can't tell them apart). Then yesterday, one of the RIR's died? None of them had pasty butt (I have two others that do that I've been cleaning and keeping tabs on each day when I clean the brooder). Today everyone made it and they are all running around and wing flapping and jumping. It was a little bit colder the first couple days and its possible the brooder wasn't quite warm enough. It was between 85 and 95 the whole time, I think. I don't know. Hope the rest of them make it.

Don't know anything about the leaking. Hope your weather turns back nicer soon. Thankfully today it has FINALLY gotten nice out.

 

[Sharon Bee]

Not sure what you mean about aren't you supposed to take it out? You don't take the waterer out. They have to have access to water and to food.