Is it normal to not be able to look at pics of chicks with out not being able to want them sooner?
You are hooked! Congratulations soon-to-be a poultry addict. You've been told that chicks are like potato chips right? Not satisfied until you can't fit any more...
Have your brooder all ready...for the first few days use burlap or old towels on the bottom...newpaper can be hard for them to get their footing on - in my experience. After they are getting around well, I do 1/2 newspaper 1/2 towel. If nobody is slipping, newspaper. Don't give them bedding they will eat.
We don't vaccinate. Personal preference?
Ours stay in until they are fully feathered, then they move outside - if the temperature allows. Still need a heat lamp though. If they won't leave the space under the heat lamp, it is too cold.
When you get them, you'll have to dip their little beaks in the water to introduce them..and tap your finger around the food. We sprinkle food all around so they have more "opportunity" to find it.
You'll want to do this from time to time until you know everybody is eating and drinking. Once one figures it out, the rest seem to catch on.
Be careful with lots of love...they need lots of sleep
When mine are about a week old, I sit in front of their brooder with an open door and let them come out to me...their first exercises in free-ranging
When they get startled, they run back in the brooder!
How many days until "the call"? (from the post office?)
