Last minute questions! Chicks on the way!

[Qi Chicken]

I know that this information is here but now I can't find it when I need it. Is there a sticky for chick care?

Anyway, should they have light 24/7? How bright?

I got a heat lamp but it's clear, should I switch to red?

We didn't vaccinate b/c the person we are sharing our order with didn't want to. Should I give them medicated feed for the first week?

Only paper towels or paper towels over shavings??

Is tap water ok? Our water is hard. I wasn't planning to add anything to their water. Now I am wondering about ACV? Is this necessary? What proportions if so?

I know this is a lot but I'm kind of freaking out here! They should be here tuesday or wednesday.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[ArizonaNessa]

When your chicks arrive make sure you keep their temp between 95-100 F for the first week and drop the temp 5 degrees each week until they are fully feathered. Color of the light does not matter but red tends to prevent picking in some opinions. Paper towels are fine but no newspaper or anything that becomes slick when moist. Pine shavings are fine as well. You should put marbles in the water the first week unless you have bantams and then add a few days. This will prevent drowning. I don't care to give the chicks ACV when they are little. Regular tap water is fine. Change water daily whether its gone or not. Clean any crusty hineys as needed and love them.

The rest is my opinion take as you like. Give chicks medicated starter crumbles for the first 6-8 weeks then switch over to grower of your choice til they lay then change to lay feed. Don't give chicks treats unless its just a mashed boiled egg if anything because they have no access to grit to digest anything more than the chick starter. The medication in starter is not an antibiotic, it's called amprolium and it sets the chicks up for a resistance to coccidiosis later in life. They only need it for the first 6-8 weeks. Some others may disagree with me and that's okay too.

Hope that helps.

Oh and here is a link to the chicken 101 section to answer any other questions. Don't fret they will be fine.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/raising-chickens-basics.php