First timer and I need major help/advice!

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Twhylite21

Twhylite21

Hatching
7 Years
Jun 8, 2012
7
0
9
Hi! I'm in the Bay Area, CA and have never raised chickens before as an adult. We had some when I was a little kid, but I don't really remember anything about them.

My husband came home for his lunch break today with one hen and 6 chicks. He works with a lot of ranchers/farmers and one gave the birds to him. He said the chicks were a week old, but the farmer had them outside in the coop with the hen already. So, my husband wants to do the same. The daytime temps here are 80+, nighttime is around 60/65F.

I don't even know where to start. Do we need to separate the hen and the chicks? Can they all stay outside since they're used to it? Do we need to get them different feed? The guy that gave them to my husband said to give them hard boiled eggs and chicken scratch, but said nothing about actual chicken feed. I read a few of the posts here and the articles, but I can't find anything about starting with a hen and chicks. Thanks for any help!!
 
60 degrees is a little too cool for one week. Maybe just a regular light bulb in the pen you are keeping them.. If you get a cool night it could be fatal. Mama hen should help. If she is a good broody hen she will keep them warm.
 
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I'd get some chick starter and have available for them, agree mom should keep them warm.
welcome-byc.gif
 
Hi and welcome to BYC from northern Michigan :D

The chicks and hen can stay together a long as you want them to. Chick starter and water is all they need. As long as the hen has accepted them and they sleep under her, you will not need supplemental heat. Good luck.
 
Thanks for the advice, everyone! I checked them earlier and they were under the hen, so I guess that's good. I have so much to learn though and the sad thing is that I'm TERRIFIED of any birds. I was pecked by guinea hens at the zoo when I was around 2 years old (they were trying to get my animal crackers) and then we had a pet goose growing up that was mean to me. I've never gotten over my fear of birds, but I want to do right by the chickens, so I guess I'll have to get over it!
 
Hello and :welcome

Good luck with your chickens, and overcoming your fear! That's never an easy thing to do, so all the best. :p I'd let the hen take care of the chicks, she knows what to do. Just make sure they have some chick feed (I heard that the hen will also eat the chick feed if she is raising chicks but I'm not sure) and plenty of water. Boiled egg is fine, it's a nice treat for the chickens.

Anyway, don't hesitate to ask any questions you might have, and enjoy the site. :D
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! You've come to the right place.
 

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