Getting my chicks next week! Some Q's

[MPJ]

I am so excited to get my chicks hopefully Tuesday. Ordered 8 from Meyers Hatchery and praying for safe arrival. Ordered only female but know there is no guarantee. Wondering from others who have ordered from them if they typically are correct in sending females or do you usually get a male here and there as well. I cant have roosters so do have a someone to give them to if I get any roosters. I had chickens as a kid and had so much fun with them. I have been obsessed researching again so feel very prepared for these chicks. I have heard conflicting opinions on how long people confine there chickens to the coop when you move them from the brooder to the coop. Some people 1 week, some 2 and some don't confine to coop at all. I would love to hear some opinions on this. Also do you guys keep food and water both in the run and the coop or just one spot? I will only be keeping 5 of these chickens and will be giving my friend 3 due to my coop and run size. I appreciate any info you guys can share with me. Me and my grandson are so excited to have our new chicken family!

 

[TwoShepherds]

Hello and congratulations on your soon-to-be chicks. I ordered 13 chicks from Meyers last May. I ordered a few extra in case a few didn’t make it or ended up being cockerels, but they all survived and are pullets. I keep their food in the coop and the water outside in the run. I decided to put the water outside to minimize any moisture inside the coop. If there is not a lot of room inside the coop, some people opt to put feeders/waterers in the run.

 

[Abriana]

It isn’t a good idea to keep water in the coop because the water makes the air more humid and can cause frostbite. As long as they get out at a fairly early time in the morning and have full crops in the evening they should be fine if the water and food is outside

I confined my birds to the coop for 3 days, and it worked perfectly. I’ve only had small issues with one or two chickens who occasionally feel the need to pretend like they don’t know how to climb the ramp, they especially like to do this when the temperature is in the lower twenties!

good luck with your new chickies!

 

[MPJ]

Thanks so much for the info. My chicks were shipped this morning so hoping they come tomorrow

 

[Folly's place]

I have both feeders and waterers in my coop, in different locations, with no problems. It's big and very well ventilated, key details in having it all work well.
Mary

 

[50-45-1]

When you get them they will need a heat source for a few weeks and must have access to chick starter and fresh water at all times. Once out in the coop when they are older they will not be eating or drinking once at roost in the darkness.
What kind are you getting?
Keep us updated.

 

[Lizzy733]

Shipping can be really stressful. Make sure you have electrolytes on hand and give them a thorough once-over.
I'd recommend two feed and water stations eventually. As chicks, of course, they're small enough to share. For mine, I store feed in the coop overnight, but not during the day as they mostly stick to the run. No water in the coop for mine, but save yourself the headache and ensure its elevated or hung so they cannot easily be soiled.
There's no real set time for coop training, this really depends on your girls. If you plan on free ranging, I'd recommend training them to a treat call so you can quickly round them up when needed. Something loud like a tin can of mealworms should have them scurrying out of wherever they're hiding in no time.