Last Minute Panic! Help what did I forget?

[CritterHill]

Ok, called the hatchery this morning and the chicks were being packed and shipped as we spoke!

Now I am all butterflies and afraid I'm not doing it right.

- 11 crested polish chicks, vaccinated for Mareks.

- Brooder holding steady at 95 degrees for the past 2 days in preparation.

- Feeder, medicated chick starter food

- waterer (low tupperware filled with marbles)

- cat proof lid on the brooder

I don't need quick-chik or the other fancy stuff do I? What did I forget?!?!

 

[S0rcy]

You forgot to breathe

Everything else looks fine to me, enjoy your chicks!

 

[CritterHill]

Breathing, right. I thought I was getting a little dizzy...

 

[delli449]

I am new to this and may be wrong, but don't we start them on oyster shells or grit by the third day?

 

[cluckychick]

If using medicated feed they are getting everything they need.

 

[Redfeathers]

Absolutely no oyster shells for chickens until they start laying eggs.

Grit, I don't use, but some people here swear by it.

Good luck and have fun. It's all about the basics, food, shelter, heat and clean water. Oh and clean bedding.

 

[Farmer Kitty]

Sounds like everything for the chicks is fine. Now breathe and enjoy them when they get there!

 

[suenrob]

When my chicks came, the instructions said NOT to use medicated chick food because it would do something to the vaccination. Might want to look into that further.

The chicks also came with quick chick, so I used it til it was gone.

Good luck to you!

 

[bamadominaker]

OK DUMB question..... When you all talk about "grit" is that like sand. I bought my chicks a week ago from the feed supply store and the went outside that day (few minutes). I have tried to let them out a little at the time for the past week. They are at least 4 weeks old, today the are outside while I am working. (in a tractor) we can't free range. I have never feed them grit, they haven't had any problems pooping or drinking, the eat all the time. They eat chick starter and whatever they peck from the ground. Is that wrong. B/C they are loving it.

 

[CritterHill]

Quote:
If you get them vaccinated for coccidiosis (not sure I spelled that right) then you should not use medicated starter. I only had them vaccinated for Mareks, so I am good to use the medicated starter.