Nervously waiting - - - Information overload and 2nd guessing myself!!

[AuntieE]

Sounds like you've done all your homework

I'm sure you will all do fine. My first chicks- 6 australorps- all made it through babyhood. Even the runt who I was sure I would find dead at some point.

One thing that helped me was to remember that the chicks will tell you what they need. If they're too cold they'll be huddled together and cheeping loudly, too hot and they'll be as far away from the heat lamp as they can get-and probably cheeping loudly. Hungry? Thirsty? They will probably cheep loudly.

Anyway- they'll tell you when they're unhappy.

I never did electrolytes- I got my chicks from the feed store, so there was no 'shipping stress'. But I'm sure the answer about how much is in a thread here somewhere if you do a search. And my water-just made it warm to touch (kind of the same way you check the temp for a baby bottle). The heat lamp in the brooder kept the water warm and at a good temp for mine.

Stick with your plans- doesn't sound like there is anything obvious that would be a problem. You can always switch things around as you need to.
And I think everyone else is right in saying that they are pretty hardy.

Good luck and enjoy your chickies. We've had a ton of fun with ours!

 

[yesfantina]

THEY CAME THEY CAME!!!! Got a call from the (not local) post office about 5:30 tonight. We could either wait til they came to our local PO tomorrow or go get them. doh! So we went and got them. They are soooo cute. And they seem to like their new home and I think they are doing exactly what they are supposed to be doing!

 

[Lynette]

Congrats!

 

[Anianna]

Sparkly_diamond, how much cider vinegar do you generally add for stress relief?

 

[N&MSchroeder]

pictures please!

 

[jenkassai]

Congrats!!! My chicks won't be ready until the end of this month and it is killing me, though giving me plenty of time to make sure everything is set up right

I loved reading your post though, because I read all the info in the forums and think "Can I do this?" and "What did I get myself into?!". I just keep reminding myself that I basically hand raised my first litter of puppies (luckily only three!) for over a week until momma's hormones kicked in and she decided she would take over. But it was stressful! And I'm sure I drove my experienced breeder friends crazy

Thank goodness for these forums since I don't know ANYONE who has chickens!!!

 

[zoa]

congrats!!!! show us pictures when you can!

oh and about the apple cider vinegar- I think I read 1 tbsp per gallon of water?!

 

[sparkly_diamond]

Quote:
I add one capful per gallon of fresh water, you can buy it cheaply (no pun intended) in the supermarket or you can buy it bulk for horses at the pet superstores.

Hope this helps

 

[Anianna]

Thanks, both of you.

 

[Dutchess]

Quote:
It sounds like you've got thing under control! I got mine chicks from My Pet Chicken last week, I know how you feel. I was the same way "are they okay" "I wonder what temperatures they are going through" "will they all make it" etc. They all made it, all 6 of them, and they are beautiful!

It's only been one week and their already feathering out! They grow sooooo fast!!