Introduction and new to chickens, advice needed please :)

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Choffman

Choffman

In the Brooder
7 Years
Mar 12, 2012
10
0
24
Hi! I'm from South Central Kansas, a stay at home mommy for my sweet girls, and evidently a new chicken researcher :)

My grandma has been stalking the chickens at our local Farm Supply store. I've been begging her not to get them but today my daughter and all her 4 year old cuteness talked her into getting two little baby chicks. They stopped by here to show me. She bought the bedding, the food, the feeders and waters. I immediately freaked out. I really wish she would have done some research PRIOR to buying these little babies but since she didn't, I'm here...needing to learn as much as possible about them, the care they need, the best food for them, the proper home they need, what kind they are, and any other information you can give me or lead me to :) I do have to admit they are quite cute!
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They will be staying inside until it is nice enough for them to be outside and until they are old enough. My husband is very handy so I will have him build a coop for them. She has no other pets so they will be spoiled :) I'm just making sure she is spoiling them in the correct manner. If anyone could tell me what kind of chicks she has and lead me to some info on them I would be more than appreciative. Here is a pic of them :)

 
There are wonderful informational pages on how to raise chicks in another part of this site. Lots about what to feed them and what to expect at what age, and different types of coops...they are extremely cute, I would call the feed store and ask what types of chickens they have. Then you can narrow it down without so much guessing.

Good luck, and welcome to the chicken world, it is a fun place to be.
 
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Sounds like your off to a pretty good start! What do you plan on using on as a brooder and do you have a heat lamp?
 
Thanks, I've been snooping around the site already :) Lots of great ideas for cute coops!! So I called the store (Great idea!!) They are Production Red and Black Sex Link. I just did a quick check and both seem to be good egg layers! That's good news. I've actually been dying and pleading with my husband to let us get chickens for our own eggs (can't handle the thought of what happens to the chickens and the eggs from the store bought ones) so this is really actually great for me!! I'm going to be doing a ton of research now! Thanks so much for warm welcome!. I have to go get one of my littles and get her to dance then go to a Parent teacher meeting then we can finally go over to grandma's and love on them!! I'm so excited!! I still wish she would have let me be a little more prepared but you take what you get :) Thanks again!!!
 
Well, right now she has them in a box, inside her home, with bedding. We own a heat lamp, should we get it set up for them? The coolest day this week is 77. Are heating pads safe if under several layers or is it best to use a heat lamp, what temp is best? I'll do some research on brooders as well.
 
Ok, another question :) Are we able to sex them? Is it better to have only females, only males or a mix??
 
Choffman said:
Well, right now she has them in a box, inside her home, with bedding. We own a heat lamp, should we get it set up for them? The coolest day this week is 77. Are heating pads safe if under several layers or is it best to use a heat lamp, what temp is best? I'll do some research on brooders as well.
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I would get the heat lamp ready. Chicks should be in the mid 90s temperature range

Choffman said:
Ok, another question :) Are we able to sex them? Is it better to have only females, only males or a mix??
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It will be awhile before you can sex them. Some people have had great success with a flock of both males and females but if your in the city then hens are usually only permitted
 
Ok, researched the brooders. I have everything I need to make a little home made one, thankfully. We'll start working on putting it together this evening, as soon as we are home. Is there a way to tell how old they are? That way I know what temp to have them at.
 
Choffman said:
Ok, researched the brooders. I have everything I need to make a little home made one, thankfully. We'll start working on putting it together this evening, as soon as we are home. Is there a way to tell how old they are? That way I know what temp to have them at.
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Black Stars and Red Stars are excellent egg layers, you'll be pleased. Barred Rocks are my number one favorites. Black Stars are my 1a favorites lol. Hopefully yours will be pullets. Good luck.
 

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