New here, and to chickens!

[TheBlondeChickenLady]

Hello!

I just ordered 15 chicks from Hoovers Hatchery with an estimated ship date of 2/15/23.

We have built our coop (well my husband built it) - and I am getting our brooding supplies ready. I have never raised or owned chickens, but my kids and I really really wanted them. We are going to name all of them (my kids said lol).

As experienced chicken keepers and chick raisers, what advice would you give a newbie? Are there any preferred chick starter brands that you can recommend to excel the chicks health? Thank you in advance, I am here to learn and share!

 

[CloneFly]

Welcome to the BYC! Congratulations on the new chicks!! I name all of mine as well
With shipped chicks, do be warned that there is a possibility for one or two chicks to not make it upon delivery... make sure you also have water with electrolytes ready for them to drink upon arrival! As for feed, I would suggest un-medicated feed- brand wise, I used Drumor Chick Starter for my chicks and it worked quite well. Alternatively, Rising Chick has a chick starter with crushed meal worms in it for those extra picky chicks (and boy, oh boy, do they love it!)

Besides that, enjoy your new fluffy babies!! Handled gently and often when young, they'll be very affectionate members of the family in no time. Some of mine like to pretend their pirates and sit on my shoulder! Best of luck, and please do share pictures of your coop and fluff balls once they arrive!

 

[brandonstokley]

yay!!! how exciting!

yes I would be prepared for a chick or two to not make it through transit or for the same number to maybe not thrive/perish a few days after arrival. they ship them directly out of the egg so these things do happen. I will say that I just received my shipment from hoovers and everyone survived the trip and is happy and healthy. they do a great job with packaging.

personally I am using Nutrena Nature wise chick starter from Tractor Supply with no complaints. I also ferment my feed. this is not required but if you have the chutzpa look it up.

careful not to feed treats right away. give it a month or so. they really need to be eating the chick starter exclusively to get nice, healthy and plump before treats get added in. corn to baby chicks is like giving a snickers to a newborn. also they will need to be given chick grit before they eat anything other than chick starter. but again, give it about a month.

I attached a picture about how the chicks should look in the brooder regarding the heat lamp. if you are using a brooder plate disregard.

just raise or lower the heat lamp until you get the right disbursement. this might take a little time fiddling.

have fun and enjoy the experience. you got this!

 

[Ridgerunner]

what advice would you give a newbie?

Look in the Articles section at the top of this page and read. You will get a lot of different recommendations and suggestions because a lot of different things can work. You will learn a lot. In general there is no one way that is right for everyone, just a lot of different things that can work.

You can get confusing or conflicting information. Never hesitate to ask a question on this forum. You don't want the chicks to be harmed because you were afraid to ask a question.

Are there any preferred chick starter brands that you can recommend to excel the chicks health?

I'm guessing yours will be a laying flock and pets, you are not raising them for show or to eat. That makes a difference in what they can or should eat.

We all have our preferred brands and not all brands are available to all of us. My suggestion is to look at what feeds are available at your feed store and look at the labels. One or more should be labeled as a chick starter. My preference is to feed them a Starter that has an analysis of 18% to 20% protein and has a calcium content of about 1%. Some people like a higher percent protein. I don't find that necessary but as long as you don't get ridiculous that will not hurt them. Some people have personal preferences for "organic" or maybe whether or not the feed contains meat products. Those are not my criteria but those products can work too. You will find there is a lot of personal preferences but as long as the basics are there they can all work.

Chicken feed comes in three forms: pellets, mash, and crumble. I prefer Crumble for chicks. Pellets are too big, Starter doesn't come in pellets anyway. Mash can separate out into its components so it can take special handling. To me Crumble is simplest and the most widely available.

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Good luck with the chick's when they arrive. You'll been given good info already from the other's.

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hello! I used game bird starter with my chicks, they're bigger and healthier then any of my neighbors.