I just want to make sure I'm doing everything right.

[purplepeep]

So we are onto day 4 with our babies, and I have never ever raised chickens before, let alone day old chicks. I have no idea what I am doing, other that all the research I have done. I guess you could say I am feeling overwhelmed. I have included pictures of our brooder set-up which is in our sunroom for the moment, because we still have literally 5 feet of snow here.

Here are my egg layers:

And my meat birds:

I have been hand feeding all the babies every day, and play with them as often as I can. I wash their water fountians every morning, fluff up their wood shavings, scooping out the really yucky bits, and wash and fill their feeders. They all seem content, and make cute little 'beep-beep' sounds all day. At night they all sprawl out and sleep, and when I get up at night to check on them they are all usually sleeping. Is there anything more I should be doing for them? Are they going to be ok? This is my first time ever, and I just want to do it right.

 

[Rufflemyfeathers]

Pretty neat how you got the lights..I see you got some wire up on the sides..how deep is that ..I know from raising them that in two to three weeks they get to want to fly out if they can..they are so cute though...

 

[jbowen9]

Have you had many to die if not your doing everything right it looks to me you have the big 3 taken care of food, water, and heat looks like they are happy to me and your doing good

 

[addicted2chicks]

You're doing it all wrong. You better send them all to me.

Sounds like you are doing everything right from what I know.

 

[chicky gal1]

they are adorable! Do you have coops ready for them outside? They grow super fast!!!

 

[purplepeep]

I have not had any die. All 32 that I ordered are still peeping.
We don't have their coop ready yet. There is soooo much snow here still, that we still can't access it. I am getting worried about what on earth I am going to do with 32 chickens who have outgrown their brooder if this darn snow doesn't start melting soon......

Thanks for the reassurance everyone. You have no idea how much it is appreciated

 

[Year of the Rooster]

Make sure you give 'em lots and LOTS of LOVE!!!

 

[jbowen9]

Since you still have all of them i would say your doing a great job because you will lose the most during the first couple of days then its all gravy from that point on now it is just coop building and fence running good luck

 

[Superior Chicks]

Looks like you'll have a sun room coop! LOL!

I can relate on the snow, we still have snow on the ground, and can't begin our new run. The frost may not be out of the ground till July at this rate. We can't seem to warm up!

Congrats on your birds! It looks and sounds like all your research paid off nicely. You are doing everything great! And no deaths out of 32 is really REALLY good.

Keep up the great job and have fun!

Ma

 

[tamlynn]

Looks great! but I bet in about 2-3 weeks they will be jumping/flying out of there, even with that chicken wire.