Getting my trio Thursday!!

[Morgan7782]

I went to Bradshaw Feed today, just to look of course

All they had right now were roosters, which I figured was typical since they get their chicks on Thursdays. However... They had the MOST beautiful Barred Rock rooster I have EVER seen!!! He was DROP DEAD JORJOUS! And crowing very very proudly. Man I wish I could have a rooster, I would have taken him then and there.

They will have EE chicks, and barred rocks, sexed to the best of their and Belt's ability. I forgot to ask if the chicks were vaccinated though, so I will have to ask Thursday. I will be getting a 250 watt heat light, red, and will adjust as needed. They had white ones at the feed store, 250 watt, and they didn't feel too warm. I was surprised. But the chicks were CHEEEEEEEPING loudly, running around and in all the bins (about 6 had chicks) there was only 1-3 dead/dying ones. I have come to realize that is just something that happens, reading on here and visiting just about every feed store in Sacramento County. I also know how to pick the most lively of the bunch, so hopefully everything will go good.

As a brooder I have a black horse water trough/bucket. Not a HUGE one, seeing as I will have 3 chicks max, but definately big enough. I am putting one or two layers of TOUGH hardwire cloth/screen and they will be in that until they are about 4-5 weeks old. Then I have their coop ready as a transition brooder, and will move them outside with a heat lamp. It will be in a sort of sun room that is not heated like our house, so I hope it will be a smooth move. The coop is moveable, fairly easy, so once they have gotten to be big girls they will be moved to the run. The coop is quite protected, I built onto a HUGE dog crate/kennel, so they have plywood as protection, along with the good black metal crate. I am so excited! Thursday is the day! I will post pictures as soon as I am able. Will be getting two "americana's" (EE) and one barred rock. Fingers crossed for pullets!!

 

[4-H chicken mom]

Good luck with your chicks. They are a lot of fun. Must show pics.

 

[Morgan7782]

Thank you! It's been about 2 years since I have had chickens, and longer then that since I had chickies. It will be fun to do again. I had a quick question though.

For the chicks brooder, if I were going to bleach it before using it, what is the right time to give it to air out? Say if I am getting the chicks Thursday, can I wash it out with water and bleach on Wednesday morning? Or what is another less harmful disinfectint? Any advice is helpful

 

[Morgan7782]

Any advice regarding disinfecting brooder before getting chicks?

 

[Purple Veg*n]

I used white vinegar as disinfectant for the 105 qt. storage box that we're using as our brooder. I also use white vinegar when I clean the crock I use to brew my kombucha tea. I have to be really careful with the kombucha because I only want to kill the bad bacteria and get the crock clean not kill my scoby! When in doubt, do it the "greenest" way possible, is my motto even if I have to research on the internet for hours to figure out what that is.

 

[Morgan7782]

Awesome! That is a good suggestion and we always have a ton of vinagar around this house. I used to make cheap fly spray for my horse with it and water No flies, but man did my horse smell like vinagar!

I will do that tomorrow morning. Also I realized I may have to start with a 150 watt bulb because for the first two weeks they will be in my bedroom. And although I keep my windows open, it stays warmer then outside. Once I have them in the transition brooder/coop outside I will have a 250 watt bulb on them. Do you know if 150 watt head lights come in red? The chicks I will be getting have white lights on them instead of red, only assuming because it's cheaper to 'fuel'.

 

[chickenwhisperer]

Bleach is fine, use 1/2 cup to a gallon of water.
Scrub with the green part of a kitchen sponge, then rinse well.
Leave right side up to air dry, and any remaining bleach/chlorine will evaporate.
It should be fine by the next day.

I dont think Bradshaw gets vaccinated chicks.

You also might consider getting a couple xtras of each kind you want, because(as youve noticed) they sometimes die.
Its wayyy easy to get rid of point-of-lay hens on CL, they wont last an hour once posted.

I use a 250w in my huge brooder, and my 2weekers are outside in it already.
Chicks stink!
You can control temp by raising and lowering it, otherwise youll have to buy 1 later.

 

[Morgan7782]

I think I may get more then my wanted 3, good idea. I will wash the tub out tomorrow, and think I will just stick to the 250 watt red bulb. They sell them, along with the metal shield thing at Bradshaw as well. Will just adjust as needed. Thanks for responding all!