First Timer

[LunaBella]

We are picking up 6, 17 week old pullets this Saturday. Coop is ready, shaving, feed, feeders and waterers are being picked up tomorrow. Any adivce for a this family of newbies? We live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, if there is any specific advice for our area, that would also be greatly appreciated.

 

[chicmom]

Congrats!

I would just say, from trial and error, I learned that it's a good idea to keep the food inside the coop, and the water outside in the run. Also, sand as a base in the run is great! keep the feeders full all the time, and keep a container of crushed oyster shells for the ladies, to promote those nice, strong eggshells.

Also, if you plan on free ranging, keep them all locked up in the coop/run for a solid week before you let them begin to free range.

That's about it!

Good luck!
Sharon

 

[livingwithchicks]

i've had my girls for 4 weeks now. i love them -- be prepared to fall in love. i kept them in the coop for a week and then only let them out for a few min at time for a week and now i let them out for several hours now. so far i've had to brib them back into the coop with food. they are amazing and i've had 2 eggs so far.

 

[top of the hill]

Congrats pn your new pullets! Just know that the coop will forever be changing, you will need to keep a chair by the coop for hours of "monitoring" and will most likely become a chicken addict and basically live on BYC!

oh and 2 very useful tools: the poop chart (yes there is a poop chart) and treat chart!

http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.php?topic=17568.0

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

Enjoy!!

 

[LunaBella]

Thanks for the info and links!