First time Chickie Mama. Best advice appreciated

[R1kk1B]

Hello everyone!!! My first post ever and first time chickie mama and I’m so excited! I get my chickies on Tuesday.
Please give me your best tips to help this first timer out!

 

[azygous]

Why don't you tell us what you've already done to prepare for this blessed event? That way we aren't duplicating what you already know about chicks and have set up for their brooder?

 

[azygous]

i took a look at the coop. It says it will house six chickens. That means it will house four comfortably. This one would be more coop for your money and six chickens would fit better. https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/p...e-prairie-coop-storm-grey-6-8-chicken-1179770 They are full grown at four months, be aware. Chicks can move into the coop at age five weeks to six weeks. They will be flying around your house at age two weeks if they figure out how to get out of the tub.

To be good and prepared, get your coop set up before or immediately after you bring home your chicks. The chicks will be able to spend nice days outside in their run when they turn two weeks old.

 

[WoDia]

Hi! The brooder you have prepared will work fine for the first few weeks or so, but chicks grow super fast and need lots of room. If they’re bantam chicks…. a little longer since they’re so tiny. The chicks (azygous made a point about this) will be practice flying as soon as they develop their wing feathering. Since you’re choosing a prefabricated coop, make sure you take extra precautions to predator-proof…. pay special attention to potential entry points, and close them up inside their coop at night. It’s totally your decision as to how long you want to keep them in the brooder. Just be aware that the older they get, the messier they get. You have warm weather down there in Texas, so they can be outside much sooner than I’d put them out (if I was winter brooding) here in NE Ohio. Yes, you’re new to this, but you’re going to do fine. If you’re apprehensive at any time, just remember that you have a lot of veteran chicken parents here to give you moral support. Good Wishes!

 

[Mamatomany123]

Looks like the coop and run are covered. Make sure to check for pasty butt the first couple of days. Are you getting them shipped in? If so, I highly suggest getting nutridrench. Give them each a drop in their mouth when they arrive and put some in their water, make it look like weak tea. That needs to be changed out daily. I do this for about a week or 2. It helps them recover from the journey. I always check their poop just to make sure no one has cocci. I would also leave a light on for them to give them time to remember where the heat plate is. I use one for the first time and lost a chick and almost lost another because they couldn't see in the dark to get back to the warmth. I prefer a heat lamp but others here have used the plate successfully.

 

[R1kk1B]

Hi! I have a brooder with a Producer’s Pride brooder warmer set up with pine flakes in the bottom. I also have a water setup with the mason jar attachment and a feeder with the little holes in it. The feeder has the mason jar attachment as well.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Congratulations and welcome to BYC!
Here is a great article which may help you get through the first 2 months with your chickies.
I give all my chick buyers a link to this.

No DE in the brooder. No grit unless you have them outside and they are eating anything other than chick crumble. I usually start sprinkling it on their feed at 2 weeks of age when they start going outside on the grass for short periods of time.



https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/

 

[Huntmaster]

My chickies come today!
This is the feed that i got for them https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HHGD81C/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 its the starter.
Do I need to offer them grit? Or what age do they need to be offered grit? Thank you all for your help!
Also, do you put DE in the brooder?

I offer grit from day one it's not needed if only feeding processed stater but as you don't know what they may get ahold of and eat, like their bedding it is better safe than sorry. By looking at that feed it looks like a lot of seeds and grains not fully ground and they will need grit to process it. That type of feed is better off fermented. Being that you are so new to this I would recommend you getting a processed chick starter crumble.

 

[azygous]

And how many chicks are you getting, and what are the dimensions of the brooder?

Do you also have a coop and run all ready? Did you know that baby chicks can easily be brooded right in the coop, eliminating the need for a brooder box?

What is your location, city, state, country?

 

[R1kk1B]

What a sweet and encouraging message. I truly appreciate all the advice you all are giving!