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Duchess of Quah said:
As for questions, I'm wondering about the first few weeks with the chicks. I know they'll sleep a lot when they're still little, but will they sleep through the night? Will they need fresh food and water at some point in the night? Will they sleep even if a light is on in the room?
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If your chicks are being shipped I recommend the following:
  • Room lights on for the first 3 days and 2 nights so that the chicks can eat as much as they need.
  • Provide electrolytes in the water to help them recover from shipping stress and make sure you see each and every chick drinking after you show them the water.
  • Make a wet mash out of their feed the first two days and add about 2 drops of Poultry nutri-drench or equivalent for each chick and mix it in with the mash.
  • I HIGHLY recommend a MHP or brooder plate vs a heat lamp.
  • Check frequently for pasty butt and address immediately when found.
  • Lights go off on the third night well before dusk so they can gradually get used to the dimming light and "go to bed". They will. If you just snap off the lights after dark, they will peep very loudly at being plunged into the sudden darkness. It's better for them to be on a natural circadian rhythm. They will not sleep through the night if a light is left on in the room unless it is very dim.
Chicks are VERY dusty and grow fast. They will start flying around before they are a week old. I would also strongly recommend brooding directly in your coop with a brooder plate or MHP vs in your office because of the dust (think of all the dust getting into your electronics) and them being outside in the fresh air is so much better for them.
 
Duchess of Quah said:
Chicken and duck spam is always welcome! Thanks for the heads-up on Muscovies. I've heard they are pretty quiet, too, which would be a good thing for our neighborhood. Most of our neighbors are either friendly and peaceful, or they're simply the live-and-let-live types. I certainly don't want to push anyone's boundaries, though!
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They are pretty quiet ducks. They can also fly quite well, especially the smaller females. I trim my duck's wings after each molt to keep them grounded.
 

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