How should I prepare?

[WilczenskiFarm]

Hi there! I'm a newbie.... I mean REALLY new! We ordered our first chicks from Hanson Grain (Massachusetts) and they will be in on the 28th of June. Here's my question: What's the best stuff to have on hand just in case of sickness/disease? To be honest, I've been reading posts here for at least 2 months now, and all the sick chicken posts are kinda getting to me...
I just want to be prepared (at least a little) for some of the illness that could come on so quickly.
Thank you for your time!
Amy

 

[Mahlzeit]

I've gotten plenty of chicks from a hatchery over the last few years and also hatched a lot of my own. In an incubator and under broody hens. I have never had anything on hand for sickness and I have never lost a chick to sickness. Maybe other people can tell you what you should have. Chicks are actually rather hardy and I've never had to give mine any medication. Good luck with the chicks.

 

[lunkerchicken]

Quote:
First of all,

from Cape Cod, MA!!!

My chicks are only at 5 weeks so I too don't have a good handle on meds and such.
On a side note, does Hanson Grain do special orders? I have been trying to get some of the local feed stores on the Cape to order a Jersey Giant for me and have it ship with there regular order but they don't seem to willing to do that. Just trying to find a place that will.....
Nice to have you on the site.

 

[annek]

The majority of people don't have problems, you are seeing a few of the ones who do. Chances are you are going to be fine. I would go with the medicated feed like Purina's. Have a few things on hand like eggs for boiling if you need emergency feed for some reason, yogurt, and a lot of people I see recommend apple cider vinegar but a special kind. I wouldn't bother with other meds unless you need them. You will most likely be just fine-relax and enjoy your babies!

Forgot about chick grit-nice to have on hand if you want to give treats!

 

[ging3rhoffman]

I havent lost a chick to sickness either. One didnt absorb his yolk sake but other than that everything has went great. I just kept them warm and made sure they had their electrolite and sugar water cleaned daily. I also blended up my chick starter so they could eat it easier. I didnt use the shavings either, just paper towels, which you just roll up and throw away a couple of times a day. I had heard they could eat it and get impacted. So for a couple of weeks they were on paper towels.

Im a worry wart so i did everything extra that i could do. I seen my neighbor throw chicks in a large stall with a light and threw them chick starter and water each day and they made it. It made me cringe but they lived. I relaxed a little after seeing that.

 

[WilczenskiFarm]

Thank you all so much for your input...definitely puts my mind at ease! You're absolutely right - take the thousands on this site and I guess you would see a bunch of illness/problems.
I'm relaxing - can't wait for the chicks though!!!!

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

I'm excited for you! I, also, have never lost a chick from sickness. This year I ordered only 7 chicks from Meyer hatchery and I was worried sick that very few would make it. Even with the little heat pack they put inside. But they all came happy and healthy, and alive! A day early! And they are still doing fine. 6 weeks later.

No matter what the feed sotres might tell you, I wouldn't suggest any anti-biotics for them unless they need it. Our TSC told us we needed Terramycin (for Respiratory infections) when we bought out feed for our new chicks. I read the lable, thankfully, and there were bunches of problems. First, it didn't say anything about being okay for chicks. Also, my chicks were healthy. And from what I hear on BYC, healthy chicks don't need any medications. If you are offered, I wouldn't take any anti-biotics. Otherwise, food, shelter, heat, and water are the basics.

As for preparing, as a general rule, handle them ALOT. I have living proof in my yard that if chicks don't take to you young, they won't easily take to you when they are adults. Good luck with your peeps! Remember, pictures when they come!

Oh, and

.

 

[Baymen Moe]

Amy and David, first of all "Hello Neighbor". Second, I got my batch of 15 chicks from Hanson Grain back on May 22nd. Thay are thriving with no apparent illnesses or anything else that concerns me. The one thing I did notice about my order was the size difference in some of the chicks. Although I have 5 different breeds, I think Hanson received different aged chicks, probably only by a day or two, and then called when the orders were all in, I could be wrong about that though.

When I got the call for my order I was not able to pick up until the next day. I asked if I would end up getting the picked over birds and they said no, they wouldn't let any sub par birds go out.

Keep your chicks warm, fed and watered and keep the brooder clean. You will do fine.

Send me a PM if you want, I'm curious to know how close we are.

Bill

 

[jacyjones]

I agree with everyone else. My first chicks hatched 3 weeks ago and have been fine. They are so cute at first but you will be amazed how fast they grow. At 3 weeks mine have hardly any down left and look like small chickens. they eat and drink alot and are perching and doing a lot of running about and wing flapping. I moved them out of their first brooder after a week and they are now in a quarter of the stable, still with the lamp. it is great fun and you are going to love it. Just relax and try to be patient until they come!

 

[RendonRoo]

Yea a new chick owner. Welcome to BYC.
I agree with the others. Most chicks are healthy and do fine. I lost 2 out of my first order of 21 chicks. I haven't lost any of my second order of 10. My first order was in Feb. and i think that had something to do with the losses. You should have no problem with and order this time of the year. Good Luck.