Got my new batch of chicks in the mail this morning! :D

[stevearino]

I have never ordered from a hatchery, so I've been sort of apprehensive about what the experience would be like. I ordered the first week of march, but because of Easter orders they were not able to hatch and ship my order until this week. I was very much looking forward to today (Friday) to get my call from the Post Office. The call came this morning, and I ran to the post office, and got my order.

I am pleased to say all 25 chicks were alive and well! I was so excited to see them explore their new brooder when I put them in it. They are chirping and seem just fine!





I'm trying to keep an eye on them to make sure they don't drown themselves in the water and to make sure they adapt okay to their new home.

To my surprise though, the chicks are shying away from my heat lamp. I figured they'd be cold from being shipped, but they seem to not want too much heat. Is that normal? Should I take the heat lamp away?

 

[chickenpooplady]

They are so cute!

They are too young to have the heat lamp taken away, but you can higher it a little bit so that the chicks are not so hot. If they start to crowd under the light after that, just lower it a little. It might take awhile to get the heat lamp to the right level. Good luck!!!

 

[Hamstery]

They are SO sweet. So glad they all made it there safely. Do you have marbles in your water? I worry about mine putting their beaks in there and falling asleep. Lazy bums. lol
What temp is the brooder reading at? Maybe they are getting a lot of heat from the other chicks since you have so many.

 

[canesisters]

Awwwww!

What breeds are they?
Umm.. what's the blue dot on the one in the lower right hand corner??

 

[CorinneP]

They are cuties ! I wish they wouldnt mark the males heads .. It sometimes makes the others peck at the marker .. I keep a lamp going but its not uncommon for them to warm up and go to the other side but when they get cold huddle back under it ! Beautiful Baby Flock you have ! ~ Corinne

 

[CorinneP]

The Blue dot is sometimes how they mark Males . Wish they wouldnt do that .. It doesnt wash off ! But imagine my suprise first time I thought I had some with bright purple feathers I was delighted lol !

 

[Eggcessive]

You need the heat lamp for a few weeks, but you need a big enough area where you can have a warm spot and a cooler area. I like to keep a thermometer under my lamp, and keep it 90 degrees the first week and go down by 5 degrees each week. With 25 chicks I built a 4x4x2ft tall plywood box, and put a screen over it by 2 weeks because they will fly to the top to perch. Good luck with your cute babies.

 

[stevearino]

I'm planning to build a bigger pen for this batch, but while I am building I am hoping this will be safe and warm enough.. 8 of them are going to my brother in law this weekend though, so only 17 of them are mine. This batch includes: 7 Buff Orpingtons (2 male), 8 Red Stars, 5 Americaunas, and 5 White Leghorns. The 5 Americauna and 3 of the Red Stars are the ones my brother is getting.

I'm keeping an eye on the water tray. I have the brooder sitting here next to me on the desk. (I am in a basement so it is a stable temperature). I've heard about chicks falling asleep in water, but I've never experienced it. Don't want to start now!