Leaving new chicks

[loveforchickens]

Ok so I'm going on vacation with family, and I'm also getting new chicks 6days before i do,t know what to do. I want to be able to spend time with my new baby's to make them friendly to people and comfortable with me, I find the first couple of days the most important. What do you think I should do I need some advice.:/

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Hopefully you can get a pet sitter, as chicks can get the bedding into the waterer and then they cannot drink it.

 

[loveforchickens]

the"vacation" is close to home we are coming home every night. Everything's fine right... Not in my mind I'm freaking out about them not becoming friendly, my chickens are supposed to be show chickens getting them use to humans is a big part me even having chickens and if I won't be able to spend time with them for 2 weeks then I'm afraid that they will be unfriendly and harder to handle.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

the"vacation" is close to home we are coming home every night. Everything's fine right... Not in my mind I'm freaking out about them not becoming friendly, my chickens are supposed to be show chickens getting them use to humans is a big part me even having chickens and if I won't be able to spend time with them for 2 weeks then I'm afraid that they will be unfriendly and harder to handle.

Breathe - it will all be okay. You will be home daily to provide the needed care and there is PLENTY of time for socialization once you are back on a more regular schedule.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

the"vacation" is close to home we are coming home every night. Everything's fine right... Not in my mind I'm freaking out about them not becoming friendly, my chickens are supposed to be show chickens getting them use to humans is a big part me even having chickens and if I won't be able to spend time with them for 2 weeks then I'm afraid that they will be unfriendly and harder to handle.

Oh if you are going to come home every day then you will be fine!

I don't bother trying to socialize my chickens too much anymore. I have found that they really love me when they start laying - they will squat and then you can pick them up. Treats are the way to a chicken's heart!!!

So I am the treat dispenser and I am very popular LOL at least until the treats hit the ground!!

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Oh if you are going to come home every day then you will be fine!

I don't bother trying to socialize my chickens too much anymore. I have found that they really love me when they start laying - they will squat and then you can pick them up. Treats are the way to a chicken's heart!!!

So I am the treat dispenser and I am very popular LOL at least until the treats hit the ground!!

Or the treat bowl is empty..........fickle, fickle birds, lol

 

[loveforchickens]

I will only have like 2 hours with them every day and it will just be stressfully, ya but I get it

 

[crazyfeathers]

X2 with chickenssosweet don't bother cuddling chicks anymore as soon as the treats come out I am their favorite everything..

 

[loveforchickens]

I don't do treats usually that will be something for me to look into, what treats should I try

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I don't do treats usually that will be something for me to look into, what treats should I try

I don't bother with treats until they are getting close to a couple of months old, except for grass clippings. I start grass clippings at about one week of age (1/2 inch long and I provide grit). Not too many, either.

At around a couple of months old, I start introducing millet (birdseed) and BOSS. Also cracked corn, rolled barley, split peas, wheat, and quick oats. But I am sure to make sure they are around 17% protein as I do this (not many treats with their chick starter). I start very slowly. This is their feed mix, that I am getting them used to slowly, that I keep mixed in with org. chick starter- and when they are laying, I mix some layer pellets in too. The gizzard must become more muscular over time.

You don't want to dilute their protein/feed too much when they are tiny as they need a very high protein level.