Hi all!

[wilkersonkim87]

We just got 4 baby chicks. I'm brand new to this and it's a little scary. We've got everything we need and our chicks seem happy, but my question is when do I introduce the grit and how often should I change bedding, and when I do change the bedding where should I put the chick? Would a cardboard box suffice?

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - great that you have joined us. These links should answer most of your questions:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-your-baby-chicks
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens

Grit topic - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/891051/the-science-of-feeding-grit-to-poultry

Providing you are feeding chick starter then grit is not essential for now. Bedding should be changed when it begins to smell, and yes, a cardboard box will be fine for the chicks whilst you are changing the bedding.

More generally, you'll find lots of info in the Learning Centre - https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center and if you have a specific topic in mind, just type it in the search box - there's a wealth of information on past and present threads.

You may wish to consider joining your state thread as it will put you in touch with other BYC members in your area - https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/270925/find-your-states-thread#post_3239224

All the best
CT

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[ninjawesome]

Hi there wilkersonkim87 and

! We're happy you could join us!

Good questions. You should change your bedding whenever it gets stinky and wet. Yep, a cardboard box will do just fine!

 

[redsoxs]

Greetings from Kansas, wilkersonkim78, and ! Great to have you in our community! CTKen gave you some super links to explore so I'll just say best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under wilkersonkim87

Welcome & Congratulations!

As you have already received links to some great starting points, I will just wish you all the best.

I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun.

If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out