First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[violamama]

I puthunk of sod in a few days ago as some suggested. They LOVE it, pecking it and even sleeping on it. The Cross Links are getting so much bigger I'm going to have to move them into their own brooder soon. I'm thinking about getting one of those big melon boxes from the grocery store but worried about where to put it. To big for the house and still cold in the garage. Do you thin they'll be ok in the garage with brooder lamp?

We moved ours (probably about 4 weeks old-ish) to a big mostly open brooder in our non-drafty but not insulated shed. It does have a heat lamp but the set-up isn't cozy by any means. It's been high 30's, low 40's here at night and they have been just fine. We checked them for clumping or piling on each other and they aren't. They do huddle up in a line, like a little chicken power brainstorm meeting.

I'm going to try that with the sod. I've been thinking they need more stuff to do in there.

 

[lizbeth120]

Aww! Really sweet! I have been looking forward to seeing your chickies! I was sorry to hear that Bowman's was out of the Wyandottes when you got there. I hope they have plenty next Thursday!

I got one! and a black australorp. They are so tiny compared to my 10 day olds! I almost got struck by chicken math, but luckily the speckled sussex sold out before it was my turn otherwise I would have walked out with more than our coop can realistically accomodate.

 

[ChickityChina]

I got one! and a black australorp. They are so tiny compared to my 10 day olds! I almost got struck by chicken math, but luckily the speckled sussex sold out before it was my turn otherwise I would have walked out with more than our coop can realistically accomodate.

Woohoo!

I so badly want to go back and get a SLW this week, but I know I can't overpack our coop. That is the only thing holding me back right now lol.

Chicken math. What an exercise in restraint.

I love my black australorps! One of the two I got was so small compared to the others who are the same age. She still is small actually, and got her feathers well after the other chicks did. She is a firecracker though and holds her own. Such pretty black chicks with the white tips on their wings. Pepper (the tiny one) still has her tips, while her sister has grown out of them and is almost fully black now.

 

[lizbeth120]

My last two for this year - a golden laced wyandotte and black australorp

 

[ChickityChina]

My last two for this year - a golden laced wyandotte and black australorp

Awww - cute lil fluffy butts!

And they'll be beautiful ladies once they're grown.

 

[calmom2]

Hi
I am first time mommy to 3 sweet girls. Rhode Island Red, Domonique, Golden Sex Link.
I have them in my garage in a rabbit cage, with their soft shavings, light, food and water and lots of cuddle time.
They are so sweet. I brought them in with me last night and they all three snuggled on my lap on top of
my heating blanket while I watched a movie. I wanted to take them to bed with me but ha I didn't.
I just picked up my coop from Costco yesterday going to put it up this weekend. Trying to figure out the best spot
for it on my 5 acre property.

 

[lizbeth120]

Hi
I am first time mommy to 3 sweet girls. Rhode Island Red, Domonique, Golden Sex Link.
I have them in my garage in a rabbit cage, with their soft shavings, light, food and water and lots of cuddle time.
They are so sweet. I brought them in with me last night and they all three snuggled on my lap on top of
my heating blanket while I watched a movie. I wanted to take them to bed with me but ha I didn't.
I just picked up my coop from Costco yesterday going to put it up this weekend. Trying to figure out the best spot
for it on my 5 acre property.

Our coop is about 5 feet from our deck so it has access to the outdoor outlets if we decide to run a light and water defroster in the winter. Also I don't want to have to dig paths through lots of snow to get to them this winter so it's also pretty easily accessible from our basement door. I thought of that when we had 30+ inches of snow this past winter. Anyway, I wouldn't put it too far away because you'll be less likely to make the trek! Congrats on your new babies, I wanted a Dominique but couldn't get them locally this year.

 

[lizbeth120]

The new day old chicks are so tiny compared to the 10-day old clutch from last week! (and the golden comet's face cracks me up in this pic)

 

[ChickityChina]

The new day old chicks are so tiny compared to the 10-day old clutch from last week! (and the golden comet's face cracks me up in this pic)

LOL she's like "Who invited the freshmen??"

 

[ChickityChina]

Hi
I am first time mommy to 3 sweet girls. Rhode Island Red, Domonique, Golden Sex Link.
I have them in my garage in a rabbit cage, with their soft shavings, light, food and water and lots of cuddle time.
They are so sweet. I brought them in with me last night and they all three snuggled on my lap on top of
my heating blanket while I watched a movie. I wanted to take them to bed with me but ha I didn't.
I just picked up my coop from Costco yesterday going to put it up this weekend. Trying to figure out the best spot
for it on my 5 acre property.

Welcome! I wish I had 5 acres to raise chickens on. I would go for my PhD in chicken math!