Need help from my fellow Alaskans!

[Alaska animal lover]

So I will probably be getting my new Buff Orphingtons on Tuesday. Maybe tomorrow, but probably Tuesday. My DH will be building me a coop 8'x8'x8'h. We are going to insulate and panel the interior. I will be getting chicks and keeping them in the house for a while. I hope I can figure out how to post pictures on here!
I have one question regarding the chicks, do I get regular poultry food for them and grind it up or is there a baby chick food? I will go look in the other topic areas and see what I can find.
I'm excited!

Oh, do they really die when you get them home sometimes? Should I really buy more than what I planned just in case?
Thanks in advance!
Aimee

 

[JudyMcKinn]

You will need to get "chick starter", which is especially formulated for baby chicks. Usually has a light medication in it to prevent them getting coccidiosis.
If you are picking them up locally, or having them sent from somewhere in Alaska, (assuming the weather is so they won't freeze getting there) you shouldn't lose any, or only 1 or so, after receiving them. Usually loss is caused by the box getting lost in the mail and getting no feed and water for longer than the 3 days the yolk sustains them, or rough handling in shipment, or the weather so hot or cold that it kills them.
Good luck--you are in for some fun with the little fuzzies. I hatched some Silkies about 3 weeks ago, and the little fuzz-puffs are growing like weeds.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Are you getting them from Triple D in Palmer? You shouldn't have any problem with chicks dying, though having said that, I did have one turkey die after we brought it home. I think it had a respiratory thing - we separated it, and none of the other birds had it. I keep Sulmet on hand - it's usually in a tall white plastic bottle, and it's a liquid medication that you add to the water when they get the sniffles. I would suggest the medicated chick starter, too - is there a feed store near you? If not, Alaska Mill & Feed down on 1st Street in Anchorage carries all that. If your chicks were vaccinated for coccidiosis (sp?) then feed them plain chick starter... the medicated feed would cancel out the vaccination. Just ask the person you get the chicks from. Nice thing is, if you DO lose one (heaven forbid!) you have Triple D or Burkes Farm there close by to replace it, or expand if you want to.

I can feel your excitement from here! And Buff Orpingtons, besides being good layers, are beautiful chickens. Mine is the prettiest girl of the bunch right now. Very sweet, gentle birds. You'll enjoy them, and you won't have to worry about frostbite on their combs. They have the pretty little rose combs.

 

[Alaska animal lover]

Thanks everyone.
I am getting them from Tripple D. There are a couple of feed stores between Big Lake and Palmer so I should have no problem finding what I need. I will ask if they have been vaccinated so I can get the right food. I will be picking them up so no worries about the mail.
You have all been awesome! Thanks again

 

[Mrs MIA]

Aaron's pretty good about letting you pick out the ones you want if you ask.

I don't think his are vaccinated, so best to ask. You shouldn't have any problem with his babies.
I'm so excited for you! Have fun!

 

[Arctichicken]

Wow this has been great advice for me too thanks. Everyone seems so nice. Gad to know about some of the local feed stores in the area.

 

[Mrs MIA]

LOL! Alaskans (and future Alaskans!) UNITE!

hee hee! giggle!

 

[Arctichicken]

Hi, Mrs. AKBB, Just checked out your website. Looks good, I already have learned alot. Still lots more to go. Saw the thing on their for homeschoolers. I was curious, did or do you homeschool? I do and love it, and I thought that sounded like a great project for the kids (and me) since we are learning all about this. More questions to come.

 

[Mrs MIA]

I don't homeschool myself, but there are many families here that do. I have 3 chicks from eggs that a gal in Eagle River hatched from my girls.

I think that the wonder of watching chicks being born is a wonderful experience for children, and homeschooling is hard enough. I'd like to loan out an incubator and donate eggs to the cause - especially to the schools. they can then use the chicks as a fundraiser for the school. Just trying to do my part.

 

[Alaska animal lover]

I got my babies! I'm in love. I had no idea they would be so fun. I can watch them all day! They are so funny! I will get some pictures soon.