How often to monitor chicks?

[mosier]

Hi. I am planning to buy 4 chicks and am a new to the whole process of raising chickens. From reading the forums and other websites I've got a good grasp on what items are needed, but what I'm wondering about is how often the chicks need to be monitored. Obviously, they need to be checked to make sure that their area is the right temp, that they have food, and that they have water. Some websites say you need to check AT LEAST 5 times a day. I'm going to be with my chicks all I can, but my husband and I both are out of the house for work and school. Do I need to find a constant babysitter?

*How often should chicks be monitored? Does this change after the first week? (I could potentially work from home for the first few days in order to check on them frequently)

Thanks for your help and advice.

 

[George in NH]

You don't need to stand guard over the new chicks. All you'll need to do is check on them a few times a day to make sure everything is going OK. You chicks should be fine for long periods of time as long as they have good shelter. food, water and heat light.

Of course, it's easy for me to say that now. I have a camera set up in my coop so I can pretty much watch them at anytime when I am home. However, I must confess that even though I am able to watch them from the comfort of my own house, I take plenty of strolls to the coop to sit and watch them. You'd think I just started raising chickens myself but the fact is I have been around them for most of my 46 years. I just happen to be addicted to chickens They relax me the way that watching fish in a fishtank relaxes some people.

Good luck with your new chicks and watch them as much as you want to. It really is a great way to relax.

George

 

[keljonma]

I think the first couple of days it's important to monitor them closely to make sure they survived the transit. But you don't need to hire a nanny.

We checked on ours in the morning when we got up and again before we left the house for the day. Then we checked them when we got home.

We tried to spend more time with them in the evenings and week-ends when we were home. But if our schedule didn't permit that, we would at least check on them once after dinner and once before bed.

You MAY find they are hard to resist!