First time chicken owner :) -from Virginia

[FarmerDawson]

Hello everyone!!
We just bought a few chickens on Saturday! We've never had chickens before but it's been very exciting learning about them and how to care for them.
We are keeping them indoors right now in a large tote with a heat lamp on. We were keeping it about 90 degrees (found that temp online) but these chicks seem to like it just a bit cooler (around 85).
They are all eating and drinking great but boy is it hard to keep the water clean?!?! They poop a lot lol! We have 10. According to the bins they were in at the time of purchase we have 4 assorted bantams, 2 red sex links, 2 golden sex links and 2 very large chicks that I forgot the breed of lol. I will go back and check today because I need more feed already!
I am learning so much from this site and everyone's pictures are great!

~Melissa

 

[drumstick diva]

sometimes raising the feed/water on a brick will keep alot of gunk from getting kicked inside. But you have to be certain even the banties can reach it. Keep a watch as they grow because your Large ones, could trample the banties, - They would do best in separate housing.

 

[redsoxs]

Hi from Kansas, Melissa, and

! Great to have you aboard! Yes, they are the pooping-est little devils! One thing I like to do when they are in the brooder is either buy them a hanging waterer so I can adjust the height or simply put their waterer up on a 2 x 4. That little bit of elevation seems to keep the water a lot cleaner. This is really true when they start scratching and kicking their bedding around! Good luck to you and have fun!

 

[liz9910]

I have my waterer on a patio paver but shavings still get in there lol. A hanging waterer may be worth a shot though.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

Welcome to BYC!!!

Glad you joined us!!

 

[Kevin565]

 

[FarmerDawson]

Thanks everyone for the tips and the warm welcomes!!
I will keep a close eye on the size difference! So far the little bantams are quite the fiesty little guys/gals. We are very happy we decided to get chickens! This site has been a wealth of information!