Getting Chicks tomorrow...

[ContessaKris]

And now I'm getting nervous! We are setting up the brooder tonight. Hubby is building the coop over this holiday weekend. They'll be inside for a couple weeks I think.

My main newbie question right now is... We're getting them from Orscheln's a feed supply company. Do those places usually vaccinate? If they have not, should I immediately give my chicks something to keep them healthy?

I'm going to buy pine shavings, chick feed, grit, DE. Do I need to get vitamins or just use ACV to keep them healthy? I would like to ferment their food, I know how much probiotics help me. Should I wait to give them that until they're older and out in the coop or can I ferment their starter? Can they be fed things like kraut or kombucha?

I'm so afraid I'm going to kill them right off the bat but I'm sure I won't. We tried hatching eggs a few years ago when I was all gung-ho for chicken living but that failed, then I had a car accident and I've been dealing with that fall out for a couple years. Now I have time to start chicken living so we're starting with chicks, all will be under a week old.

Only getting 4. Don't even go on about chicken math. I must hold myself to 4-6, since that's our city's rules and I live on the same street as city hall and the police station! Lol

 

[Judy]

You don't need grit for the chick feed. If you go with DE, please use it very scarcely as it is highly irritating to their respiratory tract. It won't serve any urpose at this stage other than to dry up the pine shavings a bit. I would not give vitamins or electrolytes unless they seem very stressed from shipping; if they are already 4 or 5 days old, they are probably past that.

IMO, it's best to stay with chick feed for the first few weeks. You might want to put a bit of sod in their brooder if they are indoors to expose them to the outdoor environment. If you give other foods, be sure the pieces are sall enough.

The feed store should be able to tell you whether they have been vaccinated, and if so, for what. I don't believe there is any vaccination you can give at this age, but I'm really not familiar with them. Here is a link to a University writeup on vaccinatins.

There is a good write up here on early chick mortality, that will give you some thoughts on what to avoid, and what may happen desppite your excellent care.

Indoors for a couple of weeks sounds about right. Don't let your worrying ruin it for you -- enjoy your chicks!

 

[ContessaKris]

I was getting the grit because I read they need it when you give them treats, which I wouldn't start for a couple weeks but want to be prepared.