Let's make the newbies feel better by.....

[Coldweatherbirds]

This thread is nice. We used to get shipped chicks when I was a kid and I don't remember losing any. I bought some chicks from a disreputable source last time and wasn't very lucky. Buy healthy chicks... don't feel sorry and bring home sick ones kept in some old man's nasty shed, because you'll regret it! Chicks are usually pretty sturdy. Follow the advice on BYC and be attentive, all will be fine!!!

Hugs to newbie chick owners!

 

[a123andpoof]

Quote:
What kind of chicks are those in the picture? We got 2 just like that from tractor supply today! No idea what kind of the gender.

 

[Heckel's Hens]

Awwww....I was just thinking this....wondering when my chickens are going to die since that is all i read on here.

I ordered 13 pullets from Ideal in December. They all arrived alive and well, plus 11 packing peanuts.

All 24 grew up healthy and adorable, and i rehomed the 11 roosters.

Then I hatched 15 chicks 2-4 weeks ago, and every single one that came out of the egg alive is still doing great!

Now I'm going to have to cross my fingers it stays this way!

 

[allpeepedout]

I got 7 day-olds at Rural King one month ago and all are doing great. I even choose two runts who needed "saving" from the frenetic pullet bins (ahem, one turned out to be a roo). I had no experience raising chicks. I could always turn to BYC to find answers to any questions.

I had a close encounter with too much heat, but figured it out. One chick collapsed and cooked under the lamp rather than move away but recovered after I cooled it off. Today, 70 degrees, they seemed hot and I turned off the heat lamp for several hours. They are happily sacked out. Not fully feathered out but looking very chicken-like. Getting feathers on tops of heads last two days.
I do have a feeling many people overheat them, especially with using plastic tubs and having large numbers of chicks together.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
I totally agree.

 

[Gardengirl 2011]

I got 3 from my local farm supply store and all are doing well, thankfully. It's been a lot of years since I've had chickens and I'm learning a lot in here since I forgot so much. So thank you all for the advice given to me and to the other posters as I'm sure I would have had problems of some sort without your guidance.

 

[dldolan]

Quote:
What kind of chicks are those in the picture? We got 2 just like that from tractor supply today! No idea what kind of the gender.

HI and Welcome to BYC! I see you are in your first ten posts...have you been warned about the addictive nature of BYC???

These two little girls are Speckled Sussex chicks. There are quite a few breeds that have these chipmunk markings when wee babies, however, so check the breed list and then have a guess at what might have been most likely for your feed store to carry.
Good luck!
Dawn

 

[a123andpoof]

Thanks! And yes I have already found it to be a little addicting! Good thing my parents can say no haha
Well it is day 2, the start of day two anyways and so far no deaths!

 

[no1hilbily]

I am a first timer I bought 10 chicks from rural king a week ago and still got 10 very active little girls

 

[zoa]

THANK YOU FOR THIS THREAD!!!

I am definitely one of the nervous chick mamas- but I am THRILLED to report that all 25 of my babies are alive and happily cheeping away in the brooder!! It has only been 3 days, but I thought for sure that some of them wouldn't have made it by now. I think I am starting to calm down now that I realize they seem to be doing ok.

thanks for the stories- I love reading them!!!