New babies arrive Wed.!!!!

[IonaFarm]

I will be picking up day old chicks Wed. I have gotten chicks from the feed store in the past. But not day old.

What can I do to make sure their safe and well taken care of right from the start?

Should I start with medicated feed?

There will be 18-20: one waterer or two, one feeder or two?

Beddingaper towels, pine shavings?

I'm getting nervous and excited. I know it's not rocket science.

Any info would be helpful.

 

[leahthor]

I can't answer the medicated feed question. I think that is just personal preference, there are arguements for medicated and arguements against.

It depends on how big your waterers and feeders are. Personally I use the smaller ones for my chicks and for that many I would use 2. If the waterer is big I would suggest putting marbles in the tray so that they don't drown.

For bedding I use shavings that are covered with papertowel for the first several days. I want my chicks to know what the food is and not ingest shavings.

Make sure you keep them draft free with a heat lamp. Thermometer is a must! Make sure your brooder has a warmer side and a cooler side so that they can move to where they are most comfy.

Congrats on the babies, love to see photos when you get them!