Just joined BYC

[poodlechicks]

Love the poodle in the picture!

 

[thasista]

Hi from Kentucky!

 

[poodlechicks]

Hi from Kentucky!

Hi from NY!
I just posted a reply, but I am very new at this. I hope it doesn't show up twice (or 3 times

I started out with buffs because I just love the way they look, but I'm very interested in acquiring lavenders in the future. Are they very expensive? Also, don't know where to get them. Didn't see them in catalogs.

Great pyrs are the best flock guards, aren't they? I have a friend who has some. They take their jobs very seriously.

 

[BrendaJ]

Hello from Oregon & welcome to BYC

 

[poodlechicks]

Went to the new threads and saw so many people that just joined. Just want to say HI! to everyone and thank you again for all the welcomes. I am still trying to get around to open new posts and there is so much information on this site that I can't stop reading. I came across a recent post (that I can't find anymore about what treats to feed chicks and felt this is something I can help with.

Here's what I did so far:

I offered cooked eggs and they loved it. I didn't give them grit beforehand because I felt there wasn't anything for them to really "chew", but offered grit before I fed greens and mealworms. They went for the grit like it was the best of treats the first time they saw it, but then ate just what they needed. I have read somewhere that it's better to remove the head when giving mealworms to young chicks, but I was so grossed out that I gave them heads and all
I try to offer the treats now every time I have to do something in the brooder, as my chicks are very scared and will stress out easily. I offer treats in small quantities so not to interfere with their intake of starter food.
Today I learned something new: can't do the deep litter thing in my brooder because the stench almost made me faint after almost 3 weeks of topping off the shavings. I could tell my chicks weren't very happy either. Chicken stench isn't for the faint hearted

So I changed the whole litter while the chicks were distracted with mealworms in a corner of the brooder. They barely noticed me.
BTW, my brooder is nothing more than a cardboard box, 50''x30" with a dowel for them to perch on. The chicks seem to be very happy running around it and there are very few squabbles among them.
I haven't moved the heat lamp up because it's been so cold here still. They still sleep contentedly under the lamp and enjoy the warmth.

I have benefited so much from all posts I've read here. It's making my start in the chicken world so much smoother! Thank you all and bye for now.