Longtime lurker, finally got some chicks!

[KernelPanic]

Hello! I've been wanting to have a flock to provide me with fresh eggs and enjoyment for what seems like always. A few months ago, my boyfriend and I moved to a 50 acre farm, and I started scheming. This weekend I bit the bullet and set up a brooder, purchasing 5 chicks from our local farm store - 2 Rhode Island Reds, 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes, and 1 Blue Langshan. I suggested 6; my boyfriend said 3, talked him up to 4, and the salesman at the feed store sold me 5 I'm super excited to finally have some chickens in my life! They're very cute and sweet though they do seem to make a mess of their water and feeders. Any tips for keeping them from walking in their water dish and making a complete mess of it?

We setup a webcam for them, so if you need a dose of cuteness to brighten up your day, check out ustream.tv/channel/sight-unseen-chickens

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Enjoy your new babies!! If you have any questions about them at any time, feel free to ask us here.

Welcome to our flock!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to the flock.

 

[missbecky]

Hello, and welcome.

A lot of people put the watered up on a brick. I set mine in a shallow pan. Unless you have a small chick shallow waterer, then you'll want to place marbles, or those flat glass decorate rocks in their water receptacle -so the chicks don't drown.

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Enjoy your chickens! Nice breeds you have there.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!

 

[Tracerkid]

I am very new at this too. I got my first chicks three days ago and because they do make such a mess with the water I went and got the chick nipple waterer. They were cheap and work great. The brooder is nice and dry now

 

[Tracerkid]

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[seminolewind]

Welcome!
I put my chick waterer up on a small box to get it out of the shavings. Messy with feed?