I am TOO new at this, I do not even qualify to be called a "newbie"

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winger135

winger135

Hatching
9 Years
Apr 19, 2010
2
0
7
If you would have told me even 5 years ago that I would want to raise chickens and be excited about it, I would have denied it and not believed you. I was born and raised in a small town, not rural, just small. I considered myself a city girl, privacy meant nothing and the shopping was always convenient.....then I married a "farmer" boy. He was born and raised on and near farms in the country. In this sense, we are very very different. Seven years ago, we moved to a 10 acre parcel about 10 minutes from town and I have been complaining ever since! All of this 7 years I have been out there, I have been praying to God to bring me peace, if I continue to live out there, my husband is happy, if we move to town, I am happy, he is unhappy....so anyway, something this winter sparked inside of me and I wanted chickens. They sounded cute, adorable and loyal. I would need layers because, of course, I want nothing to do with raising my own meat----yuck. My husband obliged and we have a dozen chickies coming April 28th. I have the chicken coop, run and the outside stuff in hand and ready. It is the first four to eight weeks that I am worried about.....is there any suggestions to keeping this time easy, clean and happy?
 
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from Pennsylvania!

There is tons, I mean tons, of info on BYC!

You will need to put them in a brooder for at least the first few weeks. A lot of people on here use big rubbermaid containers with pine (not cedar) shavings. The rubbermaid containers are easy to clean out - I just dump the shavings into the garbage can and hose out the container and let it dry in the sun. The first few days cover the shavings with paper towels so the chicks don't eat the shavings. Provide fresh food and starter feed. Also you will need to have a heat lamp on them. 95 degrees for the first week and then lower by 5 degrees each week.

Have lots of fun, and wow, I'd gladly trade properties with you if it continues to be a problem!
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Welcome! Yes, you meet the qualifications of "newbie". However, we can quickly cure you of that! Have fun!
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from NY! Raising chicks is actually pretty easy. Heat lamp, brooder box, feeders, waterers, roost bar, shavings or whatever you choose for bedding, and lots of love!! Keep a watch for pasty butt and lethargy and you should be all set. You've got all of us here on byc for backup though!
 
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from California


I'm worse than a kid when it comes to playing with chicks. Just remember to keep food and water available at all times. Put something under them to raise them out of the bedding and you'll have less mess.

10 acres. I wish. We're looking for acreage now, bow even in this economy I don't think we'll ever afford that much here. I'm also a City Girl. I grew up in Oakland California and lived there till my 3rd daughter was 3 months old. I moved out of Oakland, but although my little town was much smaller it was close to everything.


I spent a lot of time in the country when I was small and I have wanted to live in the country forever. BUT...close enough to the city so I wouldn't have withdrawls. LOL

Still not in the country now, but just not right in the city. I had to give up my flock a few months ago and I've been rebuilding. Have 3 different breeds now, Have eggs in the bators and more eggs coming. Mostly new breeds.

Get ready to become very addictive to chickies!
 
Thank you everyone for everything, it is wonderful to have a site to go to and know that someone has an answer!!!
Thanks again!!!
Jen
 

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