New Baby Chick Owner

[Wyoyell]

I'd wait a few days before exposing them to outside dirt. But if their food is medicated chick starter, a little dirt shouldn't hurt them. The first couple of days they need to be on chick starter and water, they're so new they don't know food from poop yet and might overeat things like grit if there is too much available.

I took the dirt out...they were going to town on it...afraid they would get impacted. I will wait a few days...lol

 

[bluemtnwmn]

They are really pecking at the dirt...it won’t hurt if they eat it..will it?

Everyone has their own opinions on what is best for the chicks. I am an anxious new momma too and have spent many nights researching but my real world experience with chicks is 4 weeks long. Them eating the dirt will only hurt them if they are eating too much of it and not enough of their chick feed. Same is true for grit. Most starter feeds don't require chick grit to be given as well. I only give mine grit when I give them things other than chick starter to eat and I didn't give them anything but chick starter until they were 2 weeks old. That being said, chicks who are being brooded by a hen would most likely be pecking in the dirt from the get go. If you got dirt from your yard it needs to have not been treated with fertilizers or weed killers as that cannot be 'sterilized' out in the oven. I've given mine dirt a few times, to see if they would dust bathe, but they were so interested in eating it that I didn't leave it in the brooder.
As long as your flooring isn't too hot it's probably fine. I used paper towels over newspaper for the first 2 days then the Deep Litter Method with pine shavings ever since. Many folks clean their brooders shavings out every day and replace them. There are almost as many opinions on what is right as there are new chick mommas!
Your chicks will let you know if they are unhappy. Soft, chattery peeps are normal (and so adorable!) loud, sharp peeps are usually a sign that something is distressing them. Too hot, too cold, can't find their chickie friends, maybe an owie. At this stage just listen for that and keep an eye out for the pasty butt!

 

[bluemtnwmn]

I have seen requests for help or information met with conflicting opinions. This is a great site with tons of info that can be a little overwhelming at first. I joined because I had 2 chicks with problems in the early days and google searching the issues kept bringing me back to here for answers that I'm pretty sure saved the life of one of my chicks. I guess I'm just trying to say, be prepared to weed through a lot of opinions but there is a lot of gold to be found here!
I've found it helpful to search this site and go to the 'Articles' section rather than the 'forums' for information. It's a bit more structured and less opinionated. Some of it is also downright hilarious. I have found myself laughing until I cry at the antics of some people's chickens! Enjoy your babies while they're little.

 

[Amira_Bird]

What type of “blanket” do I need to provide. Heck I tuck every other fur baby in the house “in”...I might as well help the little girls to feel safer and secure. Again, thank you so much for your help.

Any blanket you don't feel attached to lol.
I took a fluffy fleece coat I had and cut it apart and it did pretty well for them. Now I use an old snuggy. But your chicks will love it.

 

[Wyoyell]

Everyone has their own opinions on what is best for the chicks. I am an anxious new momma too and have spent many nights researching but my real world experience with chicks is 4 weeks long. Them eating the dirt will only hurt them if they are eating too much of it and not enough of their chick feed. Same is true for grit. Most starter feeds don't require chick grit to be given as well. I only give mine grit when I give them things other than chick starter to eat and I didn't give them anything but chick starter until they were 2 weeks old. That being said, chicks who are being brooded by a hen would most likely be pecking in the dirt from the get go. If you got dirt from your yard it needs to have not been treated with fertilizers or weed killers as that cannot be 'sterilized' out in the oven. I've given mine dirt a few times, to see if they would dust bathe, but they were so interested in eating it that I didn't leave it in the brooder.
As long as your flooring isn't too hot it's probably fine. I used paper towels over newspaper for the first 2 days then the Deep Litter Method with pine shavings ever since. Many folks clean their brooders shavings out every day and replace them. There are almost as many opinions on what is right as there are new chick mommas!
Your chicks will let you know if they are unhappy. Soft, chattery peeps are normal (and so adorable!) loud, sharp peeps are usually a sign that something is distressing them. Too hot, too cold, can't find their chickie friends, maybe an owie. At this stage just listen for that and keep an eye out for the pasty butt!

Thank you so much...your words “anxious new momma” describes exactly how I feel. They may peep every once in a while but they are usually quiet as church mice...lol.