Loads of Questions

[CluckyCharms]

Thank you so much everyone. I realize it's just the internet but your advice and reassurances are pieces of GOLD to me! Thank you so much.

Mille fleur - Snickerdoodle
Welsummer - Chipmunk (because her pattern and coloring looks just like a chipmunk! Don't you think Welsummers look like chipmunks? Crazily similar - so that's her name)
Silkie - Not naming "it" until I know if it's a girl. Trying not to get attached to that one.
Silver Spangled Hamburg - Oreo or Licorice (haven't decided)

 

[ChicknBaron]

Where did you get your chicks from? And are those ones you named the ones you bought and hatched or the ones you picked up at the store? was that store an Orsheln Farm and Home? Tractor Supply Company?
#justcurious

 

[CKNNWBEE]

Should they stay in their brooder 24/7? We have been putting them out in the sun for an hour or two (in safe container with pine shavings), but should we be doing that or should they stay in their brooder in their second week of life? *sorry but this new 'mommy' has thousands of questions too*

 

[CluckyCharms]

Where did you get your chicks from? And are those ones you named the ones you bought and hatched or the ones you picked up at the store? was that store an Orsheln Farm and Home? Tractor Supply Company?
#justcurious

These 4 we bought from Allen/Alan (I can't remember how to spell his name) and he was at D & S Tractor Supply in Buckner, Missouri. It was a pretty short drive away from us. He had all sorts of pictures of chicken breeds and then told us which ones of those he had with him that we could choose from. Then he went to the bin and showed the picture again and matched them up for us. They were sexed except for the Silkie (we're waiting on that one until it either lays an egg or shouts a cock-a-doodle-do). I'm trying not to get attached to that one. He was very patient with us, and understanding of my nerves...answered all kinds of questions and moved through the bins to find us the prettiest ones. =] He was more than willing to share all kinds of information with us, too. It was a great time!

I found it via this Craigslist ad:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/3306656068.html

All of the breeds are $3 per chickiebaby

and we were only going to come home with ONE chick but...well, I guess my chicken math stinks

:: running back to grab another one and hold it now :: lol they're so soft....I'm totally in love.

 

[CKNNWBEE]

Awww, sooo cute names! I hope they all do well and thrive. I agree, BYC has some very wise chicken people!

 

[CluckyCharms]

Should they stay in their brooder 24/7? We have been putting them out in the sun for an hour or two (in safe container with pine shavings), but should we be doing that or should they stay in their brooder in their second week of life? *sorry but this new 'mommy' has thousands of questions too*

ask away!! I don't mind at all..it's a public forum and this isn't "my thread" - anyone can post here. Besides, the questions you ask will probably be the ones I'll ask later...better to know the answers now. lol

 

[ChicknBaron]

Should they stay in their brooder 24/7? We have been putting them out in the sun for an hour or two (in safe container with pine shavings), but should we be doing that or should they stay in their brooder in their second week of life? *sorry but this new 'mommy' has thousands of questions too*

I personally think that that would be good for them to get out in the fresh air and sun... If they scavenge around outside of the brooder you will need to provide grit for them: no need to worry if they are only eating chick starter, you only need grit because: when they eat things other than there feed they need something to help digest it i.e. the grit goes down in there crop to help the "chew" it up and digest it, since they don't have teeth. Of course they might of found some on their own naturally so... just something to remember. I remember last year or the year before i always would let the chicks out to run around in the yard for a while, keeping a close eye on them of course, but that didn't seem to hurt them any... Think about how it would happen in nature: the hen would take them from the nest when they are a few days old and start teaching them everything: eating, preening, foraging, etc... I think they'll be fine

 

[ChicknBaron]

These 4 we bought from Allen/Alan (I can't remember how to spell his name) and he was at D & S Tractor Supply in Buckner, Missouri. It was a pretty short drive away from us. He had all sorts of pictures of chicken breeds and then told us which ones of those he had with him that we could choose from. Then he went to the bin and showed the picture again and matched them up for us. They were sexed except for the Silkie (we're waiting on that one until it either lays an egg or shouts a cock-a-doodle-do). I'm trying not to get attached to that one. He was very patient with us, and understanding of my nerves...answered all kinds of questions and moved through the bins to find us the prettiest ones. =] He was more than willing to share all kinds of information with us, too. It was a great time!

I found it via this Craigslist ad:
http://kansascity.craigslist.org/grd/3306656068.html

All of the breeds are $3 per chickiebaby

and we were only going to come home with ONE chick but...well, I guess my chicken math stinks

:: running back to grab another one and hold it now :: lol they're so soft....I'm totally in love.

No need to worry! chicks have that effect on EVERYBODY, hehe! countless times i've gone to the local chick days event in the spring to pick up a set amount of chicks then came home with extra because I had thought "aawww, but now that one will be all by itself" or "but if i get this one then i HAVE to get that one"... haha, i know how it is... i was just curious cuz if you got them from a chain like orsheln or TSC then i would wander "why didn't they have those breeds when I was there???" cuz those sound like some nice breeds! good job!

 

[ChicknBaron]

Just throwing this out there but, how do you get that little subscript at the bottom of each of your posts CluckyCharms? (the part that says: "Chickmama to a spangled hamburg, welsummer, mille-fleur and silkie)

 

[TurtlePowerTrav]

I started taking my new 3 out into the tractor for an hour a day once they were a week old. They love to catch ants. And the sun bathing is to cute. But now I have an injured 5mo pullet and her sister in it, so no "play dates" for a week or two.