Just bought 4 baby chick half breed long island reds

[drumstick diva]

It is better if you use shavings for the brooder. Newspaper is too slick and can cause splayed feet and other issues.. Get a good thermometer to lay under the hottest part of light to see that it is a good temperature for the babies.

You want them in a draft free brooder with a wire top for good air exchange, and safety from household pets.

 

[achillevassallo]

I have 4 baby chicks I'm replacing advertising paper with paper towels....n grinding up rice with oatmeal to feed is this good idea? Is chick starter feed an absolute? I live in FL n I'll have them in the coop tomorow with grass bottom n I'll make a couple of holes in ground so the chicks can start pecking on grubs

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC! Be sure to check out those articles in the Learning Center posters above linked for you. Chick Starter is a balanced diet for them, it is a really really good idea to use that as their main feed, especially at first... if you don't have it right now, hardboiled egg will work for tonight.
Chicks need heat, they should be at 95* the first week and lower it 5* every week after that, at about 6 weeks they should be feathered pretty much be able to go with out heat unless it is really cold. If you put them in the coop tomorrow, you will need to be sure that they have a heat source, most people keep them in a brooder for the first few weeks because it is easier than putting heat in the coop. At this age they will not be able to find much food outside and you will still need to feed them, they may also eat too much dirt etc if they are hungry and can't find food.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

I just wrote an article on baby chicks. Here it is
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/raising-chicks-artificially

 

[ChickyChickens]

Welcome to BYC!!! There are loads of members on here…so if you have ANY questions…just ASK!!!

Hope you have loads of fun and all your answers answered here on BYC the BEST CHICKEN KEEPING FORUM on EARTH!!

 

[justplainbatty]

I have 4 baby chicks I'm replacing advertising paper with paper towels....n grinding up rice with oatmeal to feed is this good idea? Is chick starter feed an absolute? I live in FL n I'll have them in the coop tomorow with grass bottom n I'll make a couple of holes in ground so the chicks can start pecking on grubs

Yes, chick starter is an absolute. They are way to young for the other things you are trying to offer. They especially should not be eating grass, if it's long , it will kill them. If you are going to offer any thing besides chick starter, then they MUST have chick grit also. The chick starter has everything they need, especially the amount of protein needed for their rapidly growing bodies.