So living 16 miles from the new jersey shore the only word I can use to describe hurricane Sandy is devastating. I lost my chicken coop which I had custom built, my garage, damage to my home etc but thank god all replaceable things. My two chickens survived the storm miraculously and since then everything has been cleaned up, new coop has been built ( though painful forking over the money to have another one custom built lol ) and now after a four month wait my chicks are here. I ordered 2 white crested black polish, 2 millie fleur, 2 white silkies, and 2 buff brahmas. Ideal hatchery shipped these chicks a day early because inclement weather was expected for the original delivery date. I really appreciated them staying on top of the weather. All my chicks arrived happy and healthy EXCEPT for one white silkie who appears to have a splayed leg. These chicks are soo tiny and I am amazed how well they handled their journey from Texas to New Jersey- FOR ANYONE ABOUT TO GET CHICKS OR WHO VERY RECENTLY GOT THEM: -Most important thing and hardest thing is to resist the urge to handle them. It causes them undue stress ESPECIALLY between 1-10 days old. Handle only when necessary until they get to be about 10 days old . Then get them accustomed to you by holding them for short periods or sitting them in your lap while you watch a few minutes of TV. -Newborn/infant chicks need supplemental heat to survive. Usually a 75w-100w heat bulb ( sold for reptiles at local petco/petsmart etc) does the job. ENSURE that your brooder is large enough for the chicks to self regulate their temps by being able to move far enough away from the heat lamp if they need to cool down. YOU WILL NEED A CAGE THERMOMETER - Offer a quality chick starting mix. Make sure food and water are kept clean and as free from droppings as possible. Marbles can be places in the waterer to ensure chicks do not drown ( this is a must for bantam chicks ) Obviously these are just some bare bones basics....good luck to everyone with their new babies - this is the new coop 11 feet long, 5 1/2 feet wide, by 6 feet tall though hard to tell from this angle how big it really is
I'm sorry you had to go through Hurricane Sandy, but you sure did get a nice new coop for your chickens who thankfully survived along with the new chicks. I ordered from Ideal, too, and was happy with their service and my fine chickens.
