Hi! I received 3 chicks for Christmas

[EverythingDucks]

Welcome to BackYard Chickens from a fellow Floridain!
Glad you decided to join!
Everyone here is very helpful and kind, I'm sure you'll love it here!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

They are Rhode Island Reds

Very cold hardy breed. You will need to coddle them in summer. Lots of shade, foot baths and make sure their coop isn't in the sun.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUN-omenal Community!

Pull up a roost and enjoy your time here!

 

[Fontaine]

We live in South Florida so I’m concerned about the heat. They are still inside under a heating lamp at 75 degrees and almost ready for the coup

Where in s Florida? What breeds do you have? The heat here (Naples) is so hard on the birds. I really have watch them in the summer.

 

[TheOddOneOut]

We live in South Florida so I’m concerned about the heat. They are still inside under a heating lamp at 75 degrees and almost ready for the coup

Welcome to BYC!
I just have to ask...
Why would someone surprise you with chicks unless you had already done a bunch of research and actually asked for them?
It’s almost like randomly surprising someone with a puppy.
But assuming you love them, have the stuff to care for them, and you know the basics, it’s no problem! We can always help with any problems.

 

[Percheron chick]

If you haven't built your coop yet, think aviary. The more open the better. If you have already finished it, remove the siding on 2 sides and replace it with hardware cloth.

 

[featherhead007]

RIR's ? Well, you will love those chickens. I have raised some myself, and they are great birds.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi and welcome to BYC! We're glad you joined us!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Space requirements
• http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/788391/keeping-chickens-cool-in-summer-heat
  https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/topic-of-the-week-keeping-chickens-cool-in-summer.1181934/
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Best wishes

Pork Pie