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

[riomurphy]

I am anxiously awaiting ours, too. We only got 6 to start with. 3 Golden Comets and 3 White Leghorns. I am filled with anxiety, nerves and excitement too. This is like bringing a new baby home from the hospital. Do I have everything? Am I forgetting anything? I have the (nursery) brooder set up, and ready to go. Feed, water, lamp, shavings, papertowels, wire top..... surely I am forgeting something. Just a nervous Dad-to-be, I guess. The coop is under production and will be finished by the time they are ready to transition. The feed is medicated, although I understand that some say it is neccessary and others say not. This has been a great experience so far, and we are so looking forward to their arrival tomorrow.
Is there a chicken "Hotline" I can call if something goes wrong? LOL! There is a ton of info on this site and out there in cyberspace. Books, DVD's, and personal recommendations.... I guess I am set, but I still have this feeling that I am forgeting or missing something.

How old do they have to be, before introducing grit or oyster shell into their diet? and Pellets? Can you handle them too much? Is there a timeframe that they should remain in the brooder, before their first adventure outside? How long should they be on chick feed, before upgrading their diet?

So many questions. But fortunately, this site is full of ideas and great advice from all of you!

Wish me luck and keep your fingers crossed. I am about to dive into a whole new world... and I'm really excited about it!!

 

[zoa]

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HAHA!!! It's called BYC!!!!

Don't worry you will catch on!

 

[Anianna]

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I think this is the chicken hotline!

They can have chick grit right away but it is not necessary if you are giving them starter crumbles exclusively. If you want to give them treats or if they have access to buggies, give them chick grit. Just toss a handful into the bin and they'll have a blast scratching for it.

When they can go outside for "field trips" depends mostly on the weather. If the weather is nice and not too cold, they can be out for a bit at temps lower than the brooder. If they act chilly, trying to huddle tightly, take them back inside.

The starter feed has directions for how long to feed it.

I don't let my kids handle the youngest ones, but I handle them. If they can hear their flockmates, they will probably cry to them, but if you take them into another room, they will settle down and not fuss so much. I sometimes sit on the edge of the brooder (mine are in a big round bathtub) with my feet in and put one or two on my lap with dried meal worm treats. The brave ones will eat the meal worms, jump around in my lap, and ask for more. The ones that aren't so brave will ignore the meal worms and jump off of my leg back into the brooder, flapping all the way down!

 

[yesfantina]

I think the Dummie's book said parakeet grit is fine.. so I got some of that. It's got calcium in it. Should I get chick grit instead? ...

and riomurphy, you sound like me! sooo many questions!

I'm so glad they came yesterday. I feel tons better today.

I think this is my 10th post, so I'll try to upload now

 

[Anianna]

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That, I do not know. I'm sure the size is fine, but I don't know if the added calcium would have any negative effect. Chick grit or clean play sand are the only options I have seen recommended so far and I haven't used anything else, personally.

 

[yesfantina]

the box they came in

all 5

 

[Anianna]

Cuties!