Hi!!!

[motherclucker06]

Hello all!

I am a new mother hen of six absolutely adorable chicks. Two Barred Rocks, two Buff Orpingtons, and two Rhode Island Reds. We have had them for about three days and I can't seem to get anything done around the house! They're so cute!

A few questions so far.
1. Is is possible to handle them too much? My kids are obsessed and want to hold them 24/7. My 7yo even wanted to camp out in the living room next to them. I don't think any of them would have gotten any sleep.

2. Bedding in the water. So frustrating! I guess I could raise it a bit and see if that helps. (I think I just answered my own question.

3. How much bigger do they get in the 16 weeks they are in the house? I have them in a brooding bin about 2x3 and I'm not sure if they will outgrow it quickly/have to find another bin.

and the last question...I really want to name them but everyone I talk to tells me not to because I will become too attached. Do you name your hens?

I look forward to exploring this site and learning as much as I can

Thank you!

 

[ChickenLover200]

No. It is good to handle them a lot. Makes them people friendly. You may not want to keep in the house for too long, as they can start to get messy and smelly.

Also, yes a lot of us name our chicks. Lastly, welcome to BYC!

 

[drumstick diva]

1) it is possible to hold them too much and exhaust them. Chicks generally sleep a lot - run around like crazy and then sleep a lot more.

2) raising the water is a good answer, sometimes just a brick or so, will raise it enough. Or you may someday want to go to "nipple" waterers, which completely keep debris out of the water - but, it does freeze up in winter.

3) I hope 16 weeks was a typo. That length of time - the humans would go nuts with them in the house. When they are fully feathered out - around 6-8 weeks of age, they can be acclimated to being outdoors in a run, and sleep in an outdoor coop.

4) You'll know when they outgrow their brooder - there will be little space between feeder, water, and them. They will also try flying early, and can fall or fly out of the brooder, if it doesn't have a wire top to keep them inside. You could give them a branch in the brooder to keep them amused IF there is enough room for it. If you have to change to a bigger brooder sometimes you can just connect two (boxes or whatever you are using with door ways open from one box to another.


Most people get immediately attached to their chicks. By personality you will be thinking of names for them. Go ahead and use them. There are a lot of Barbara's who end up being Bruce. Chickens don't care one bit.

People do believe if you are raising MEAT birds, that you intend to eat someday. Don't name them for obvious reasons.

 

[Cntry1958]

I to handle my chicks, the more contact with humans the better off they seem to be around people. They become friendly.

I also name my chickens as they are pets and I can't see me eating them. Mine are for eggs.

Water bowl yes raise it just a bit with also the food. You can build a small frame the size of the water bowl and food would fit on but not real high. Cover it with plywood or something so the chicks can jump on it and get their food and water. Its like a little platform. As they get larger you can place wooden blocks under each end and nail it to the base raising it up some.

Depending on where you live I would start taking them outside at about 4 to 5weeks old getting them used to being outside. By them they should not need heat much longer. By 8-10 weeks they maybe placed in a coop if they are the only chicks you have but not with chickens yet and fully feathered.

Yes they will be growing out of the brooder box quickly. Chicks grow up fast. Start building your coop now if you don't have one yet. Try not to buy a coop that will be sturdy enough its better to build your own. 4 square ft in coop per chicken. So your coop need to be at least 24 square feet. 4 ft per chicken x 6 chickens= 24 square feet.

Good luck with your new flock.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under motherclucker06

Welcome & Congratulations!

As you have already received some great advice, 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.

You might want to also pop in and say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread.

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