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Ackchickens

Ackchickens

In the Brooder
Mar 30, 2015
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First time chicken mom to be. Expecting 6 babies this time next week. 3 golden buffs, 2 leghorns and a Rhode island red. I have been spending all my free time for 2 weeks reading books and web sites, basically moving back and forth between overwhelmingly excited to terrified! There is so much to learn. I live on a small island off Massachusetts and am getting scared on prices for feed, as we have no tractor supply store of any type around here. Trying to decide on what type of waterer to use. To use vinegar or not? Grit for babies? Feeding them hard boiled egg, just sounds so odd to me! I bought a coop online that said it would fit 6 chickens and I'm thinking its never going to happen, it's too small and seems like a piece of crap. So have been researching building my own . Anyone have any ideas on how to settle my nerves, it'd be greatly appreciated!
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your soon to be new chicks! Be sure to check out the Learning Center section on chicks, it isn't nearly as scary raising them as it seems! https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks
Have you checked other stores like Wal-mart that may carry feed? They are actually not that much more expensive than the feed stores around here.
Really for 6 chickens, would probably just go with the plastic one gallon waterers, they are pretty cheap and easy to use.. if you are going to have electric in your coop, going with a heated dog water bowl in the winter works well.
ACV is one of those things that some people don't really care, and some people swear by, always figured it doesn't hurt (as long as you don't over do it) so why not add it a time or two a week.
Chicks really only need grit once you start feeding them things other than their chick starter (and hard boiled egg if you want to, they do like it :)) if you let them outside on the dirt, they will probably find the grit they need anyhow. Most people start introducing other treats when the chicks are a few weeks old .. Check out the treat chart in the Learning Center for ideas https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chicken-treat-chart-the-best-treats-for-backyard-chickens
Ya, the mailorder coop kits don't fit near the chickens they claim to, once you have one at least they are useful as a back up coop if you ever have a broody hen and/or you want to raise chicks or have a sick bird etc... you are usually better off to build a coop yourself or have one built for you.
 
Hello
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and Welcome to BYC!
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Glad to have you join! Feel free to make yourself at home!
 
Hi :welcome

Glad you could join the flock! Kelsie has left you some great advice and links to check out so will just say Hi and wish you the very best of luck. I too have experienced the Internet coops and them not being large enough for the amount of birds they state. It can be quite annoying and now I like to actually look at any thing I'm purchasing.

Enjoy BYC and all the chicken chat :frow
 
Welcome to Backyard chickens - just Keep Calm and let us guide you. Those on line coops are never big enough and not durable enough to stand up to actual use & weather.
 
Hello, and welcome to BYC!
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I'm glad you joined our community.

I would use just a normal fount-style waterer (like this one:1 Gallon Poultry Waterer). I used them successfully for my small flock of four until I switched to nipple waterers. I've never put vinegar in the water (and have had perfectly happy, healthy chickens), but some people think that it helps.Chicks don't need grit unless they are eating food other than chick feed (for example, they'd need grit if you were giving them bread as a treat, or corn). Hard boiled egg is fine to give and is a good idea if you have some weak chicks, as it gives them energy.

I hope the coop construction goes well! Sorry to hear that the mail-order coop didn't turn out well; unfortunately, that is often the case.
 
Thanks everyone!! I love how helpful and supportive everyone is on this site! Chicks should be here Tuesday or Wednesday next week. I can hardly wait!:woot
 

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