Getting my first chicks tomorrow- tell me it will be ok!!

[KnightsMist]

I'm getting my first chicks tomorrow- SO SO excited!!! And now the panic is also setting in, a bit like the day I went into labor with my son thinking omg what did we do?!

I'm on several chicken groups on Fb and seeing all the questions with problems-please remind me that most of the time things go fine!

Some questions- how long do they eat chick feed, when do I add chick grit, and what age should they transition to adult feed and grit?

How many weeks do they need heat for? I will be using a brooder plate, the heat lamps terrify me.

Any other last minute tips, tricks, reassurance that it will be Ok? I know to watch for pasty butt, will be doing that regularly, and keeping them warm, dry, and safe. They will be in my house for a couple weeks before going out to the new coop (with their heat plate).

Thanks!! I've been reading this site for years, I've learned a LOT, but now getting those last minute nerves!

 

[Lemon-Drop]

I feed chick food until they run out of the bag, then switch to an all flock/grower feed until they are close to laying (18 weeks or so)

Chick grit does not need to be fed unless they are eating anything other than food and water. So if you start feeding scraps, let them be outside, they eat the shavings, etc, etc, start giving them the grit. I usually feed it at about 2 weeks once I start taking them outside on daily excursions. (If the weather permits)
make sure the grit is for chicks, and don’t just put a bowl of it in the brooder, sprinkle it around.

For heat, I use a heat lamp and reduce the temp each week by 5 degrees, but if your using a heat plate, I would give them the heat until about 6 weeks, when they’re fully feathered.

Don’t be nervous! Post lots of pictures of the little ones! I also always get so excited, and nervous!

Out of curiosity, what breeds are you planning on? How many?

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Good luck and congrats! I know how you feel!

 

[21hens-incharge]

First....take a breath.

The vast majority of chicks arrive in good shape and on time.

When you first unbox them dip each chicks beak in the water and show them the warm spot.

They can be weaned from heat at about 5-6 weeks old. You are getting them as temps start to climb so they may wean themselves off it even sooner. That's a great thing about the brooder plates....no forced heat.

You know to lay paper towels down on any shavings for the first several days yes? Sprinkle a bit of the feed on the towels for them. It makes it easier to find.

While electrolytes in the water can save a chick keeping them on it more than a couple days can do more harm than good.

I keep mine on starter feed until everyone is laying. Switching at 8-10 weeks to an all flock feed is fine too. No layer feed til they are actually laying.

Yup it's nutty how the nerves set in.

 

[Aapomp831]

I'm getting my first chicks tomorrow- SO SO excited!!! And now the panic is also setting in, a bit like the day I went into labor with my son thinking omg what did we do?!

I'm on several chicken groups on Fb and seeing all the questions with problems-please remind me that most of the time things go fine!

Some questions- how long do they eat chick feed, when do I add chick grit, and what age should they transition to adult feed and grit?

How many weeks do they need heat for? I will be using a brooder plate, the heat lamps terrify me.

Any other last minute tips, tricks, reassurance that it will be Ok? I know to watch for pasty butt, will be doing that regularly, and keeping them warm, dry, and safe. They will be in my house for a couple weeks before going out to the new coop (with their heat plate).

Thanks!! I've been reading this site for years, I've learned a LOT, but now getting those last minute nerves!

Don’t worry about heat.... the chicks will tell you. If they are cold, they will huddle together and chirp louder than you’ve ever heard. Too hot and they will hold their wings out and pant.... I just adjust the lamp accordingly, I don’t use a thermometer.

 

[KnightsMist]

Thanks everyone!! I'm getting 8 chicks, all different breeds but not 100% decided on all. The farm store I'm going to has a wide variety right now from a few days old to 2 weeks. Breeds I'm definitely getting (pending availability):
- Americana/EE
- Plymouth Barred Rock
-OE
-Buff Orp
-RIR
-Mystic Marens

Then I'm debating on the others, but probably a gold and/or silver Wyandotte, white leghorn, or black astrolorp. Will be hard to keep it to 8 but that is the number hubby and I agreed on! I will post pictures once home and in the brooder!

Thanks for the tip about paper towels. I think I read some people use puppy pads for the first few days/week?? Is there an advantage to one or the other?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Thanks everyone!! I'm getting 8 chicks, all different breeds but not 100% decided on all. The farm store I'm going to has a wide variety right now from a few days old to 2 weeks. Breeds I'm definitely getting (pending availability):
- Americana/EE
- Plymouth Barred Rock
-OE
-Buff Orp
-RIR
-Mystic Marens

Then I'm debating on the others, but probably a gold and/or silver Wyandotte, white leghorn, or black astrolorp. Will be hard to keep it to 8 but that is the number hubby and I agreed on! I will post pictures once home and in the brooder!

Thanks for the tip about paper towels. I think I read some people use puppy pads for the first few days/week?? Is there an advantage to one or the other?

Since you are getting them from the farm store don't worry about dipping beaks. That will already have been done.

I really like he Australorps. They are very even tempered birds in my experience.

The towels are certainly less expensive.

If they are already on shavings I think you don't need either. It's mainly to prevent them eating shavings while still giving them traction and making the food easier to find.

 

[KnightsMist]

Any tips when it comes to choosing actual chicks at the store? Not talking breeds, mean choosing individuals within each breed I want. Signs to look for good/bad, to avoid? Hoping obviously for friendly and healthy!

 

[21hens-incharge]

Any tips when it comes to choosing actual chicks at the store? Not talking breeds, mean choosing individuals within each breed I want. Signs to look for good/bad, to avoid? Hoping obviously for friendly and healthy!

You want active bouncy perky birds with clean bums.

You said some are 2 weeks old I believe. Be careful mixing very young with those a couple weeks old. The biggers can trample the littles. It's also really hard to adjust a heat plate properly for the different sized chicks.

I hope you can get all similar age chicks. It will make things easier.

 

[KnightsMist]

You want active bouncy perky birds with clean bums.

You said some are 2 weeks old I believe. Be careful mixing very young with those a couple weeks old. The biggers can trample the littles. It's also really hard to adjust a heat plate properly for the different sized chicks.

I hope you can get all similar age chicks. It will make things easier.

Thanks I was wondering about the age/size difference, hoping it would be ok to mix. I'll keep that in mind when picking chicks tomorrow.