OMG! What a cute chick! I just love the picture. My name is Chicken Girl Sue from Spokane Washington and I have about 10 laying hens and one rooster. My favorite breed of chicken for laying eggs is the sex links. I had 5 Black Sex Links that were the best chickens I ever had. They were laying fools! Unforturnately, some unknown domestic dogs came into my yard and killed all but one of my Sex Link hens. I got some Red Star (red sex links) and Speckled Sussex. The sussex are beautiful chickens but they are too young yet to lay eggs. I will see when they get older if they are as good layers as the sex links. I just had to respond to your avatar.
I see you are new to BYC!! Welcome!! If this is the first time you have raised chicks. It is very simple. 1st and foremost, you need to keep them warm with a heat lamp. Next, they need clean bedding. I use small animal litter that you can get in any store that sells small animals like hamsters, gerbils, etc. Walmart is where I get mine. Last, they need clean water and chick feed. I use a chick starter. Once the chicks get to big for the area you have them in and you change boxes or put them out in the coop, I keep the heat lamp in a corner with fresh bedding so if the chicks feel the need for warmth, especially at night, the chicks can lay under the heat lamp. Once the chicks have all their feathers, they will no longer need the heat lamp. If you have a problem with foxes, you could concrete the floor and make a lip up the side of the coop with concrete. Foxes and coyotes will not be able to dig under the foundation of the coop. It is also easier to keep clean. I have a coop with a concrete floor because I have issues with coyotes. So far, only one of my roosters has been taken by coyotes. This site is very helpful with information you are looking for and has answered all the questions I have about my chickens and coops.
