My first Chicken experience!!!!!!

Date sort Score sort
meghannybarra

meghannybarra

In the Brooder
Feb 13, 2016
20
3
26
So I have gotten my first Chicks and I am SO excited! I have 1 Barred Rock, 1 RI Red, 1 Maran, 1 Brown Leghorn, 1 brahma, and 1 Brown Sexlink! I live in Wisconsin and so I am a little worried about the winter weather affecting or harming the birds!

Currently I have the 7 day old chicks in the basement under a nice heat lamp. I am wondering about when I can put pine shavings in for them to nestle and play in....? And suggestions for me or helpful tips is greatly appreciated!!!!

Thanks Meghann
 
Nice to meet you Meagan, what do you have them on right now? Generally people have them in a brooder on pine shavings covered with paper towels for the first few days, till the chicks know what their food is and where to get it. Then you can remove the paper towels.
 
welcome-byc.gif


Sounds like you have the start of a nice flock Meghann. I agree with drumstick diva...the chicks should be on pine shavings now.

Glad you are having fun with your new little ones.

It's nice to have you here!
 
The weather here may differ from yours, but when it gets into the negatives my chickens do fine. They have insulation in their shed, and they sleep in a pile to keep warm. I give them extra food and water, and if it's going to be extra cold or there's a blizzard coming, I give them a suet cake. I don't have a water heater so I refill their bowls with warm water throughout the day.

A problem that I encounter are my leghorns, because they get frostbite on their combs. Some nights I have to take them in if it's too cold. My other hens do not have much of a problem with the cold because they are cold hardy breeds like the Rhode Island red. My black and red sex links do well in the winter too. My friends have had some of their chickens die in the winter from cold, but I have had none die during the three years that I have kept chickens.

A tip that I would definitely recommend is not to buy plastic feeders/waterers/anythings for your hens. My hens are very clumsy and they broke all of their plastic things, lol.
 
I am in WI too and based on my limited experience I would agree the Leghorn might get some comb frostbite. Not that big a deal if it does happen.
 
Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some good advice already, so I'll just say a big hello!

All the best
CT
 
Thank everyone! Right now I have the chicks on paper towels. I was going to get some shavings yesterday but ran out of time. So today it is! I am also having a hard time keeping their water clean. Messy little girls!
 
how do you implement those in the brooder.....right now they are in a tote with shavings and a heat lamp.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom