New to BYC and day old chicks

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BogChick

BogChick

Hatching
Joined
Jun 30, 2015
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Location
Wisconsin
Greetings Chicken lovers!
My name is Emily, I've been drifting around the US and have found myself settling in the Driftless(ironic) area of Wisconsin. I have liked chickens since my first encounter with them while working on a farm, but it was not until last year that I fell in love and had to have my own.
This year I am starting with day old chicks for the first time, they are about 2 1/2 weeks right now.

I have a few questions-
Sunday I noticed a few chicks doing an odd head shaking, a few hours later more were doing it and they were not running around or as interested in food. I thought maybe they were scratching their heads more than usual but hard to say. I couldn't find any description really matching what I was seeing. I gave them angstrom silver in their food and water, an electrolyte mix and bee pollen. They seem to be doing better- back to their rambunctious selves again. BUT is there anything else I could/should do at this point?

I'd like to start moving their brooder cage outside during the day to get them fresh air, light and forage. It had been warm(70's and 80's) during the day but cool at night(sometimes 50's) at what point can they be completely outside?

Some chicks are growing faster than others, the larger ones are always first to the food. I have not seen them be pushy the smaller ones, but those ones seem timid and don't seem to be getting as much. Maybe different breeds growing at different rates? More food=fast growth or fast growth=needs more food?

Thanks for any and all input!
 
Other folks have mentioned chick/chickens shaking their heads, I don't think the cause was ever established. My first thought would be maybe mites or lice,I irritating their ears. Do they do this constantly or just at certain times? You may try posting at "emergencies, diseases, injuries, cures," thread.

Chicks are generally ready to go into the coop when they are fully feathered out - usually 6-8 weeks. If it is warm outside, you could take them out for short, supervised play periods - be sure they have water and some shade if they need it.

you may want to put extra feed dishes out so the smaller ones get enough to eat - and see that they are allowed to it it. It's common for bigger or more aggressive chicks to keep them away from food and water
 
Hi :welcome Emily

Glad you could join the flock! Drumstick has left you some great advice above so I will just say Hi. Another thing to consider with the head scratching is that it could be the new feathers coming through that are annoying them. This is just a theory I have but surely the feathers growing through the chick fluff must be itchy.

Wishing you the very best of luck with them in the future and enjoy BYC :frow
 
Hi Emily, welcome to BYC!
frow.gif


Congratulations on getting your first flock. The other posters have already given you some good tips so I'll just say it's nice to have you join us. Hope you're having fun with the little ones, they'll be big quickly.
 

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