I Just Placed My First Order!! Now What Do I do?

[Jhuff8181]

Well I just placed my first order. I have 8 Barred Rocks and 7 New Hampshire Reds coming on March 11th. I am excited and a little nervous. What do I need to do to prepare? What should I expect for the first couple of weeks? I plan to set up the brooder in my garage.

Thank You,
John

 

[Master S.M.C]

Set up the brooder, cover it in paper towels, get feeder and waterer, get heating lamp. Temp in brooder needs to decrease 5 degrees a week, start at anywhere between 99-95 degrees ( whatever they feel comfortable in).

Expect them to be a little messy with constant attention to clean food and water supply and some great pets.

 

[waynesgarden]

You need to do some research fast. Start with the Learning Center resources.

There are far too many things you should know to even start with to answer your questions, so you need to get started reading now. We don't know how much, if anything you know about raising chickens so get reading and come back with specific questions as that will be the most efficient way to help you.

It's too late for you, but the advice I give anyone considering getting any kinds of animal is to learn as much about them as you can and have their housing prepared before you even think about ordering them.

Wayne

 

[monarc23]

Congrats on your newbies coming soon!!!


Have you decided what you will be using as a brooder? Almost anything that can contain something can be used as a brooder. I love using tupperware containers for smaller batches of chicks, and for larger batches I use "my first home cages" however that's pricey. I know one BYC'er who used an old closet layed on it's back to make as a brooder.

Make sure NOWHERE in the brooder is slippy for the chicks as this can cause splay leg. (deformed leg that's almost impossible to fix once it's caused). This is why some suggest paper towels which does work well for the first few days.

Then you can switch to bedding like aspen shavings (no pine or cedar please- as the phenol oils have been known to cause respiratory distress).

Make sure you already have chick feed ready to go so you're not rushing to buy it when they're already here.

I get my heatlamps from petco, as well as the heatbulbs. I don't even pay attention to what the temperature is under the lamp, I just offer the chicks a draft free area in their brooder to snuggle under the lamp, as well as an area that they can walk away from the lamp to cool down if they get too warm.

I lay a blanket over the brooder to assist with avoiding drafts. In a garage there may be drafts unless you keep it nicely heated. You can surely house chicks in an unheated garage, however keep drafts out and make SURE thier heatlamp is actually keeping them warm. My bedroom stays around 65 F so keeping drafts out, and just having the lamp on in there keeps them nice and toasty.

 

[Jhuff8181]

I didn't mean to make it sound like I had not done anything to prepare. I have read most of Storey's Guide to Raising Poultry. I have also lurked on this board for a while. With the order placed it is time to stop planning and start preparing. I hope this will be the fun part!

John

 

[Kelly G]

You're going to do GREAT! I LOVE my barred rocks! I have 5, and just placed my second order that ships tomorrow. I can't wait!!!

#1 Warm, draft-free brooder (90-95F to start....lower 5 degrees per week)
#2 Clean food/water
#3 Clean bedding changed frequently
#4 Use Infrared lighting to keep them warm (won't confuse their day/night cycle).


Also get this book: http://www.amazon.com/Chickens-Your-Backyard-Beginners-Guide/dp/0878571256/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1234928451&sr=11-1


This was book was a huge help....I have 10 books I bought on Chickens & this was the most helpful!

You're gonna be just fine! Enjoy!!!!!!!!!! Keep everyone posted!