First-time chick owner

[savannairis]

so we bought 18 chickens, not sure their gender but hopefully mostly female.. I’ll insert some photos of the set-up. Please tell me some improvements and should I add a big rock to help scratch their beak/nails?

we’re wanting eggs! I saw the hen massage, when should I start doing that? Tell me anything you can and do’s and don’t’s!Anything I should expect and not to alarmed about or what to do in a situation. We also plan to go buy oyster shells for when they’re grown.For food, we’re using Nature Wise chick starter growth 18% protein and chick probiotic water (makes it yellow) thanks!

also I don’t know the breed!


I do plan to maybe add a third box to ease tension but this is temporary and I am changing the newspaper everyday and giving them some bedding to dig at. When feeding I do divide the food in the two boxes and chicks are messy!! We plan on putting them outside with their heat lamp in case they get cold and it’s almost ready, it’s cold so maybe not for a week til they’re outside. Maybe some rendezvouses if it gets warm in between!

 

[PioneerChicks]

Welcome to BYC and the chickening world!

I don't think the rock or the hen massage is necessary, but you can do it if you want too.

At this age you can give them strait bedding without newspaper. I use Pine Shavings as my bedding. Don't use Cedar Shavings, as those are toxic to chickens.

You might find these articles useful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-chickens.47660/
Feel free to ask any questions and make yourself at home!

 

[savannairis]

Welcome to BYC and the chickening world!

I don't think the rock or the hen massage is necessary, but you can do it if you want too.

At this age you can give them strait bedding without newspaper. I use Pine Shavings as my bedding. Don't use Cedar Shavings, as those are toxic to chickens.

You might find these articles useful:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-chickens.47660/
Feel free to ask any questions and make yourself at home!

Thanks!

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ditch the newspaper, it's slippery which can cause foot and leg issues.

You need space... a LOT more space. Those guys are super crowded. Measure your boxes and add enough space to give each one about 1/2 sq ft for now, since you said you were planning to move them out in a week that should be enough (but if that gets delayed you'll likely need to add more space). They'll grow very quickly.

Also "feeding time" - chicks should have access to food and water around the clock.

 

[Mamatomany123]

They need a lot more room. Like, a lot. That is way too small. Food and water should be available 24/7 for chicks. I personally am not going to any "hen massage" or such. Just a good diet, plenty of room and love and theyll giveyou eggs. And of course some will produce more than others.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I hope you are working on a nice coop and run for your chickens. Better to get that going now, so it's ready when they are! I also have built a brooder with plenty of room. You may want to do that as well. I've never heard of chicken massage, sounds crazy. Chickens naturally lay eggs, that's what they do. They don't need massages or special things. They are simple animals that need food, water, shelter and a place to lay eggs and roost at night. It's really simple but you can get more complicated if you want to. They do need food and clean water all the time, 24/7. Oh, only the hens lay eggs, if you got some roosters in the mix, they will not. But you know all that, huh!!!???

Good luck on your new adventure!

 

[Peppercorngal]

By the way: You need to get a waterer like the one in the corner of my "brooder" photo. They can get into that cup (or whatever it is) accidently and drown. These watering units won't allow that and holds lots and lots of water for an extended period of time. Your chicks need water all the time. I have a feeling this was an impulse buy and you were not ready for all of this! Yeah, that happens, they are irresistible!! I know!

 

[savannairis]

By the way: You need to get a waterer like the one in the corner of my "brooder" photo. They can get into that cup (or whatever it is) accidently and drown. These watering units won't allow that and holds lots and lots of water for an extended period of time. Your chicks need water all the time. I have a feeling this was an impulse buy and you were not ready for all of this! Yeah, that happens, they are irresistible!! I know!

Sorry for my late reply, I don’t use this site much!! They’re already outside in their coop and they have a proper waterer now. I’ll include pics later! They also have everything they need in there, also would you happen to know what the yellow chicks are? Black ones are Maline but not sure on the yellow.

 

[savannairis]

T

Ditch the newspaper, it's slippery which can cause foot and leg issues.

You need space... a LOT more space. Those guys are super crowded. Measure your boxes and add enough space to give each one about 1/2 sq ft for now, since you said you were planning to move them out in a week that should be enough (but if that gets delayed you'll likely need to add more space). They'll grow very quickly.

Also "feeding time" - chicks should have access to food and water around the clock.

thank you for your input!! They are outside now

 

[savannairis]

They need a lot more room. Like, a lot. That is way too small. Food and water should be available 24/7 for chicks. I personally am not going to any "hen massage" or such. Just a good diet, plenty of room and love and theyll giveyou eggs. And of course some will produce more than others.

Thanks for letting me know! I saw the hen message thing on YouTube and they farmer can pick up and pet the chickens whenever and they are CONFIDENT! I want confident birds lol.. thanks!