I'm getting 6 Wyandotte chicks in less than a week! What should I do to keep them healthy and happy?

[k3ti3]

Hi everyone, I've just been reading about some pretty scary chicken infections and illness, and I really want to make sure that my chicks will be safe and sound

! Does anybody recommend any caging, toys or precautions I should take to make sure my chickens will live? I really appreciate it!

 

[Book Em Danno25]

 

[ocap]

I dip the beak of every chick in water and watch to see if they swallow.
I put marbles in the water so they can get out.
I make the brooder big enough so they can get away from the heat.
I put a little of the dirt from their future pen in the brooder.
I scatter feed on the floor of the brooder.
I watch them and make sure as they grow to increase the height of the walls of the brooder so they can't jump out and not be able to get back to heat.
They like to play keep away. In about a week toss in a grape, only one grape.

 

[k3ti3]

thanks very much! thats very helpful!!! Great to know

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Stop by this article in our learning center on raising your new chicks the first 60 days..https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens

Enjoy your new babies and welcome to our flock!

 

[k3ti3]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Stop by this article in our learning center on raising your new chicks the first 60 days..https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens

Enjoy your new babies and welcome to our flock!

thanks so much!! very helpful

 

[Wyandottes7]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined.

Definitely take a look at the link that Two Crows gave you. Good luck with your future chicks! Wyandottes are my favorite breed, and I hope you enjoy them!

 

[k3ti3]

Welcome to BYC!

I'm glad you joined.

Definitely take a look at the link that Two Crows gave you. Good luck with your future chicks! Wyandottes are my favorite breed, and I hope you enjoy them!

thanks

 

[drumstick diva]

Sometimes it's not good to read about all the diseases etc. beforehand because then you imagine every little peep that is off an octave means something ominous. I'm that way. My doctor made me throw away my stethoscope

because I kept deciding I had one problem or another.

 

[BantamLover21]

I'm glad you joined us!

Good luck with your chicks!