Freaking out in N.M.

[dak]

Hi! I'm Clare. A "friend" arrived on my doorstep today with 12 chicks from Big R for my 3 year old. I've never had chickens. I have gathered that they are a mix of boys and girls, and appear to be at least 5 different breeds. Unable to sleep I have been reading various threads to figure out how to go about this endeavor. They have the basics of food and water and a heating lamp, and are currently residing in my bath tub. I am concerned about the likelyhood of multiple roosters. I will not be eating any animal I raise. Any suggestions other than punching my "friend" haha will be welcome! Seems like a nice group of people posting here. Thanks for any input.

 

[Kansaseq]

Hi Clare, and welcome! You have come to the right place for help, advice, information, etc. BYC is an awesome place.
Instead of punching your friend, inform him/her that coop construction will begin on XXYY day, and that you will be expecting their help

Peruse the coop pages to decide on a coop to build , or look on Craig's List for a used shed or coop you can convert. Some people have made coops very cheaply out of pallets and reclaimed materials.
Basic chicken math says you need 4sq ' of floor space per bird for the coop, and 10' in the run. Read about predator proofing and ventilation, as those are two important issues. Roosters can usually be given away on Craig's List. I listed one if mine on Friday and had a home for him within the hour.
Good luck and keep us informed on how things are going. Ps, we LOVE pictures

Ps here's a link to a very good page on ventilation https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=1642-VENTILATION

 

[michickenwrangler]

A more permanent brooder (if you want to take a bath over the next two months

) can be rigged up with a large cardboard box or a plastic storage bin. I used a large rabbit cage last year wedged between a wall and a Hoosier cabinet and it worked fine. Go to the grocery store and ask for a big egg box or the school cafeteria and ask for a tray box.

Good luck & enjoy them. They'll go through an awkward age pretty soon where they'll look more like dinosaurs than chickens!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

and

from Ohio. So glad you joined. I bought one of the largest plastic container to use as a brooder. That way I can use it to store things in when they get moved out to the barn and then you will have it for the next 12

Good luck.

 

[Ehigh57]

Hello from GA!

 

[Junkmanme]

Hello from Gallup, New Mexico........

HOWDY, Neighbor !!!

-Junkmanme-

 

[dak]

Hello back, junkmanme.

 

[Imp]

from Washington

Congrats on the chicks

Imp

 

[dak]

Thanks imp. They are now 6 and 1/2 weeks. The ancona roo learned to crow last Sunday. Must be a record. Have to euthanize the broiler yesterday. His legs went out on him. The last 6 weeks have been an adventure. I got bitten by the chicken bug and decided if I was going to have chickens, I was going to have ones I liked. There are 2 little cochin chicks on the kitchen table next to me and my genesis 1588 is sone to be full. Still don't really have a good plan of action for the little roos. In NM too many folks are still into cock fighting, and I don't want them used as practice.

I've really appreciated all the help from fellow BYCers. I am now, after 6 weeks of study, I am semi-knowledgable.

dak

 

[b.hromada]

and

from S. Florida! Glad you joined us!