If you could give a new chick/en owner advice, what would it be?

[sixxchixx]

My words of wisdom would be to handle and spoil your chicks as often as you can. My mom and I, seperately, bought baby chicks at the same time last year and the difference is that mine still come running to me whenever they think I may come close to their pen and hers could care less.

when I was raising them in the brooder, I would hold and spoil and sit with them every afternoon. the sweetest thing was everynight when it started getting dark they would cuddle up under my hair (or shirt) and snuggle me untill they were asleep. Now-a-days I have a 5lb. bird that still jumps up to my shoulder every opportunity she can.

in fact anytime anyone walks by the gate to the pen they are all right there waiting for a treat. No one pecks or bites, and I can still pick them up anytime I want to.
Good luck with your venture. It's the best thing I ever did!

 

[lizage]

Wondering now if raising chicks is as addicting as getting tattoos??

 

[zeus]

yes...definately as addictive as tattoos!!! advice...make sure you check their butt for pasted poop...this can be a big problem..we unfortunately lost a baby to this...definately predator proof your coop..check on here for any issues/questions-this site and everyone is fantastic,lots of topics/help already discussed....make sure you do relax and have fun! take pictures!Best of Luck

 

[SoORchick73]

Wow everyone, THANKS!!! Great advice right here

I have only just started and already can see how addicting this could become lol. Too bad our town has a limit on the number of hens you can have (6).

So far from this thread, I need to figure out how to run electricity for the winter, need to read what moulting means, will have to see if my library has poultry books and ...im sure theres more....thank you everyone

 

[SoORchick73]

Quote:
Ohhh wow really?? I will make that a habit daily, wow had no idea.....

 

[srfjeld]

I am a new chick mom too and so far, one valuable piece of advice I can give is this: when you let them out in your yard on those nice days while they are still very small... please watch your step very carefully. We learned this the hard way and are still morning our careless human error... even though we've since learned these types of accidents happen.

Still learning right along with ya!

 

[luvchicks8]

Not sure if stated but whatever you plan on building double the size you will need it

 

[madabouthens]

i have only found this site a few days ago but i have had hens for a long time since i was little and my 3 top tips would be: your surely gunna lose a few chicks along the way but u need to get on with it. 2 you need to make sure no predotor can get in too your chickens because if the do they will not take juist 1 they will kill them all and leave them lieing i rember it happening to me once its reali sad

. 3 never give up on them if something knocks you back chickens r an amazing thing to have and i am mad about them and any other kind of poltury

GOODLUCK! KEEP US POSTED

 

[ranchhand]

I may sound harsh, but it's not meant that way!

These are chickens, NOT human children. Not "my babies". Not even doggies or kitties. They have no real need for loving, smooching, cuddling, etc. They do it for treats. Read my sig line, it's the absolute truth. Try hard not to humanize them, because about the time you think that roo loves you, he's probably going to peck your eye, because it's shiny! Hurts like the dickens and can blind you.

I love my chickens and it saddens me to lose one. But with proper care, ruled by logic, not emotion, I rarely lose one. And yes, build far larger than you think you'll need. After all, the ducks will need their own space.......

 

[iamsara]

wow thanks everyone for the tips!