New fraidy cat chicken mama

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.

 

[sourland]

Hello, Renee, and welcome to BYC.

 

[Everose]

Awe! Babies on the way with only three weeks to prepare will make anybody anxious and worried. Welcome to BYC! I'm sure you'll find this site extremely helpful, and fun!

 

[janiedoe]

Welcome to BYC! All will be fine. I raise mine outside too. I'd suggest switching your older girls over to an all flock feed with oyster shell on the side. I use Purina Flock Raiser crumbles. It just makes it much easier when you integrate the chicks.
Also, if you have an old heating pad, it makes a wonderful heat source. No heat lamp needed, and the chicks can use it as needed. There are great threads here on using the MHP (mama heating pad)
Here is one
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/brooding-with-mama-heating-pad.67728/
Good luck!

 

[AntiqueB]

Make sure your hens can see the chicks, but not touch them. It will make integration easier!

It's terrifying to get chicks the first time, but I guarantee that if you've ever had ANY pet, you'll do fine. And if you haven't, you'll be old hat in a week!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens, thank you for joining the flock

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi Renee and welcome to BYC. Here are some links that may be helpful:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Space requirements
• “How to...” guides
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hello, and welcome to BYC Renee! We're glad you joined us!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi Renee and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

 

[jrenee54]

Congrats on your upcoming chicks! What breeds are you getting?

Thanks! I've ordered a couple each~ Barred Plymouth Rock, Columbian Wyandotte, Black Copper Marans, Frost white Legbar, Cuckoo Bluebar Blue-Eggers... I ordered for egg color and also I like black and white..... I was given grown: Easter Egger, 3 Rhode Island reds and one I think is a Buff Orpington. So I'll have a variety of chickens and egg color...