I'm planning to hatch chicks for sale for the first time soon.

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At some point I will have to write an article about my method of raising chicks but I try to keep the process as natural as what I've seen my broody hens do when raising babies and my chicks grow fast, healthy and are mostly feathered and ready to go outside full time at 6 weeks old. This is Texas though so we stay warm and humid even at night. These are only 8 weeks old and they don't need any external heat source.
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I that wire good for their feet? I ask because I was thinking of doing something similar under the inside and outside edges of their run to prevent predators from digging under but I know chickens dig and worry they'll injure themselves on it.

 

[member 701893]

I that wire good for their feet? I ask because I was thinking of doing something similar under the inside and outside edges of their run to prevent predators from digging under but I know chickens dig and worry they'll injure themselves on it.

I've never seen their feet have any problems with it. That's what my grandma always used to raise them out too. I have a few "chick houses" like it

 

[member 701893]

These are the f1/f2 olive eggers and easter eggers

These are the black copper marans

These are the blue copper marans

And last but definitely not least I kept some to hold on to that had unique feather patterns and to check quality when they're older.

This little beauty is my favorite from this batch

 

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These are the f1/f2 olive eggers and easter eggers
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These are the black copper marans
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These are the blue copper marans
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And last but definitely not least I kept some to hold on to that had unique feather patterns and to check quality when they're older.
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This little beauty is my favorite from this batch
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The boxes of cuteness are unbearable. I have one chick that I would snuggle with in bed if I didn't think I'd squash her or my dog would eat her out of pure jealousy.
I let them loose in my room for about 10 mins when I clean their pen. Afterwards I hand out treats and handle them for a bit so they get use to it (except one flighty one).
The one I want to snuggle sits on my lap and trills her heart out when I stroke her. She's also the smallest of the 5 and I think she likes being higher than the other chicks.

 

[member 701893]

They've all had some food and drink and are now quietly napping together

 

[member 701893]

I love watching them get the little zoomies after their power naps food and water break and then right back to sleep

 

[member 701893]

All the babies are still doing great! We've got 12 of 28 claimed so far and a few more that are supposed to go to their new homes tomorrow

 

[member 701893]

I got these big party favor boxes and used a 5/8 inch hole punch to make the take-home containers

 

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I got these big party favor boxes and used a 5/8 inch hole punch to make the take-home containers
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I'm trying not make to-go jokes . . . .

 

[member 701893]

I'm trying not make to-go jokes . . . .

Lol I can see that. I just didn't want to use old shipping boxes with holes poked in. And they were so much cheaper to make than anything else I could find that was advertised specifically for chicks