First Timer - Panicking

[itsbob]

I'first ve done a few things different. I had them in a plastic tub for about the first week or two, but shortly moved them to a "growing pen"/ brooder. It's 60 x 30 and about 30" high. I have about 3 - 4 inches of pine shavings in the bottom, and an arm to attach the 250W warming light to at different heights.

BUT the BIG one.. I got tired REAL fast of keeping the coop and the brooder waterers clean. They were always disgusting and was worried about having sick chicken, chicklets and ducks. I converted REAL fast to water nipples.

In the coop I have two set up, one came packaged with a water tap, hose, and PVC with three nipples.. had to provide my own 5 gallon bucket.

The other side of the coop, for when the little chickens are getting bullied, I have a 5 gallon bucket hanging from the top of the coop with five nipples screwed into the bottom of it. NEVER have dirty water.

In the Brooder/Growing box, and even in the plastic tub i had 24 oz soda bottles. Drilled a hole in the cap, cut off the bottom of the bottle, nipple goes in the cap, hang upside down and can refill without having to remove them from the brooder. That's the only way the chicks have been getting water since they were born with no issues.. and again, no more dirty water!! I have three in the brooder, two fairly high, so the bigger chicks and ducks have to stand up straight and stretch a LITTLE bit to get to the water, and one down low for the banties..

 

[write2caroline]

The worst part about pasty butt is that it can seal the vent shut and back stuff up. Put a little ACV apple cider vinegar in the water - like half a cap full and that will help prevent the problem. You will need to get the gunk off the chick so if the wet q-tip doesn't do a good job try to moisten with a wet tepid cotton ball. If that doesn't work then put the chicks back end under the tap but really it is not good to get a chick wet because they can get chilled. You can use a nubby old washcloth anything to gently remove the gunk. The chick is going to peep and hate it. You can use olive oil on the vent or vaseline something to prevent gunk from sticking.

They do kind of fall over and sleep where ever. In a day or so more - they can even roost on a wide inch square roost if it is low and you will be surprised how quick they will learn to flap wings and fly up to the edge of the brooder or on top of feeders and waterers. So you may want to cover the top with hardwire cloth and duct tape around the sides - makes getting into the chicks difficult but will prevent chicks from bouncing out and meeting a cat. I had to sacrifice a bathroom for the chicks and kept them in a bin in the tub and then I had gates on the doors with rolled towels under because my cats are clever and chicks are fast.

Have fun with them - take more pictures!!!!!

Caroline

 

[write2caroline]

Well this looks like a good a place as any:

I have 9 assorted chicks in the brooder, they are 3 weeks old today, and 2 Khaki ducklings that are 2 weeks old.. this week my order of Aracuana chicks comes in and they'll be probably 3 days old when i get them.

Should I keep them separate from the bigger chicks, or will they be alright with their older brother and sisters?

I would not put newly hatched chicks with older chicks until the newbies are able to move about and are bigger - the larger chicks will run right over the top of them. In those first few days they sleep a lot more and need more heat, the older ones will not like the higher heat. Two to three weeks is like putting a kindergartner in a pal football game with 5th graders. The little guy is going to get hurt in time.

Caroline

 

[itsbob]

Well this looks like a good a place as any:


I have 9 assorted chicks in the brooder, they are 3 weeks old today, and 2 Khaki ducklings that are 2 weeks old.. this week my order of Aracuana chicks comes in and they'll be probably 3 days old when i get them.


Should I keep them separate from the bigger chicks, or will they be alright with their older brother and sisters?

I would not put newly hatched chicks with older chicks until the newbies are able to move about and are bigger - the larger chicks will run right over the top of them.  In those first few days they sleep a lot more and need more heat, the older ones will not like the higher heat.  Two to three weeks is like putting a kindergartner in a pal football game with 5th graders.  The little guy is going to get hurt in time.

Caroline

Yep I picked up my chicks at the post office today.. ordered 14 hens 2 roosters, received 16 and 2.. put them together while I was home, but that lasted about 5 minutes.. you are right on. The bigger chicks or ducklings wanted to eat they ran over and stepped on the chicks. I built a wall in the middle of the brooder and watched the bigger chicks peeking around the sides to look at the newborns. But everyone is happy mow.

 

[itsbob]

Will add, granted it's the first day, very impressed with efowl.. not only were the chicks alive but flat out lively and vocal. Supposedly they hatched yesterday and they were very active for 2 day old chicks.

 

[write2caroline]

Pictures? Where are the Pictures!!! I am being denied cuteness!!!! Just kidding...

I wish I could set up a camera on new chicks in slow to show how fast their feathers grow. You are going to be amazed how soon they start to feather out.

Caroline

 

[itsbob]

Pictures?  Where are the Pictures!!! I am being denied cuteness!!!!  Just kidding...    

I wish I could set up a camera on new chicks in slow to show how fast their feathers grow.  You are going to be amazed how soon they start to feather out.

Caroline

I wish I could figure out how to post pictures in here from my phone..

 

[itsbob]

Maybe this will work?

 

[itsbob]

Or this one..

 

[itsbob]

Our FRILLY chicken.. I have no IDEA what kind of chicken it is..but Farily Certain it IS a chicken..



Outing today for the older chicks.. Chicks are 4 1/2weeks old, ducks are 3 weeks old.