Might get chicks

[mommiesrcool]

So currently I have 2 RIR hens and i was telling my dad how the coop can hold 4 more chicks and he said yeah let's do it i don't know if he's being sarcastic so I go away but in case he's being serious i haven't raised chicks in like 8 months and we threw everything out and my brother broke my heat lamp so I have a few questions

What could I use as a brooder for 3-4 chicks ( i need something cheap bc I have to pay for everything)

Do I need a heat lamp I'm in FL and the chicks will be in the garage and it's hot in there its summer and 2 chicken batches ago I raised 4 chicks in the garage during this time of the year with no heat lamp and they all survived?

My dad won't want to buy separate food so should I buy 50lbs of chick feed to feed them so I dont have to buy more food

should I buy chick feeders and waterers? i don't have any

if you guys have any tips give me them i might already know them but idc bc itll be good to hear it again

Im gonna get them from Meyers hatchery

 

[mommiesrcool]

nvm im thinking about it and I'm not gonna do it

 

[Weeg]

What could I use as a brooder for 3-4 chicks ( i need something cheap bc I have to pay for everything)

I'de use a swimming pool brooder. They're cheep and give lots of space for 3-4 chicks. Its a bit difficult to clean, but I have 2 bantam chicks in mine and haven't had to clean it once yet. They're 6 weeks old. They seem to scratch it up enough in such a big space that it stays pretty clean.
You do have to make the sides taller though. I took cardboard and wrapped it around the sides, then cinched a cinch down strap around the pool to hold the cardboard tightly to the sides. This keeps the chicks from jumping out.

Do I need a heat lamp I'm in FL and the chicks will be in the garage and it's hot in there its summer and 2 chicken batches ago I raised 4 chicks in the garage during this time of the year with no heat lamp and they all survived?

How hot is it during the day and night? Chicks need 95 degree temps constantly for the first week, then subtract 5 degrees each week. If its gonna drop below 95 at night, you'll at least need a heat lamp then. I would get a heat just in case. You'll be glad to have it if you need it.

My dad won't want to buy separate food so should I buy 50lbs of chick feed to feed them so I dont have to buy more food

Yep. 50lbs bags of chick feed will feed the chicks, and your other adults if you needed it too. You just have to offer OS on the side.

should I buy chick feeders and waterers? i don't have any

Ya, I did. They're cheep and easy. I would get a Rent-A-Coop waterer like suggested in this article- https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/setting-up-a-chick-brooder-.76291/
It helps SO much with keeping it clean and free of shavings, and is easier to refill. I'm looking into getting one. For feeders, I use the UFO feeder as well. You dont have to buy the top canister if you don't want to. I find that I'm taking it out and dusting the shavings out of it daily anyway, so the canister isn't really necessary. If you try the cookie sheet idea like in the article, the top canister is nice because you don't have to refill it as often.

if you guys have any tips give me them i might already know them but idc bc itll be good to hear it again

I use this Little Tikes swimming pool for my brooder-

I like it because once they're big enough, they'll be able to jump up onto the top of the slide, and I can put the feeder and waterer up there to keep it shaving free.

 

[Weeg]

nvm im thinking about it and I'm not gonna do it

Wait what? Why?
Why wouldn't you want adorable chickies!

 

[CHlCKEN]

Don't do it, Sammie. You aren't even allowed to have chickens in the area you live in. It's not a good idea.

 

[50-45-1]

Good, because not only do you need chick stuff to raise chicks, you also would soon have to integrate the youngsters to your adult RIR's. And believe me this could get difficult as it is challenging and your 2 adult girls will not like it.
Also, do you think you have room for 4 more because you have a prefab coop and that's what they told you it had room for?

 

[mommiesrcool]

Don't do it, Sammie. You aren't even allowed to have chickens in the area you live in. It's not a good idea.

All my neighbors are fine with it and worst thing we’ll send them to our friends house

 

[mommiesrcool]

Good, because not only do you need chick stuff to raise chicks, you also would soon have to integrate the youngsters to your adult RIR's. And believe me this could get difficult as it is challenging and your 2 adult girls will not like it.
Also, do you think you have room for 4 more because you have a prefab coop and that's what they told you it had room for?

Yeah Ik I had to do that with my current RIR, the coop says it fits 6 full sized chickens

 

[mommiesrcool]

Wait what? Why?
Why wouldn't you want adorable chickies!

I don’t want to hear the yelling again I’m gonna get in trouble and some other things so idk ig it’ll be better if I don’t get them

 

[mommiesrcool]

I'de use a swimming pool brooder. They're cheep and give lots of space for 3-4 chicks. Its a bit difficult to clean, but I have 2 bantam chicks in mine and haven't had to clean it once yet. They're 6 weeks old. They seem to scratch it up enough in such a big space that it stays pretty clean.
You do have to make the sides taller though. I took cardboard and wrapped it around the sides, then cinched a cinch down strap around the pool to hold the cardboard tightly to the sides. This keeps the chicks from jumping out.

How hot is it during the day and night? Chicks need 95 degree temps constantly for the first week, then subtract 5 degrees each week. If its gonna drop below 95 at night, you'll at least need a heat lamp then. I would get a heat just in case. You'll be glad to have it if you need it.

Yep. 50lbs bags of chick feed will feed the chicks, and your other adults if you needed it too. You just have to offer OS on the side.

Ya, I did. They're cheep and easy. I would get a Rent-A-Coop waterer like suggested in this article- https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/setting-up-a-chick-brooder-.76291/
It helps SO much with keeping it clean and free of shavings, and is easier to refill. I'm looking into getting one. For feeders, I use the UFO feeder as well. You dont have to buy the top canister if you don't want to. I find that I'm taking it out and dusting the shavings out of it daily anyway, so the canister isn't really necessary. If you try the cookie sheet idea like in the article, the top canister is nice because you don't have to refill it as often.

I use this Little Tikes swimming pool for my brooder- View attachment 2727155
I like it because once they're big enough, they'll be able to jump up onto the top of the slide, and I can put the feeder and waterer up there to keep it shaving free.

Ty