New to Chick

[SantiagoHens]

This is my husband & I's first experience with chickens. We ordered 10 female Barred Rock chicks from Tractor Supply. We have 2 kids, 2 beta fish and now 10 chicks. I refurbished an old kitchen cabinet for their first baby home while their coop is being built. We put cabinet liner down and then fresh pine wood chips. I bought an 8 pack of plastic lids at Wal-Mart to use as water dish and feeding bowl. I'm feeding them Purina chick starter (medicated). The temperature in the garage has been 85 degrees Fahrenheit and they have been content. Any other tips and recommendations will be noted and appreciated.

 

[Sequel]

Hi and We're glad you joined!

 

[BlueBaby]

Hello, and welcome! Glad that you joined! Chick's really don't need the medicated feed until they have already been moved outdoor's and they are in contact with the ground. Good luck with the chick's!

 

[Mvan42]

Opinions vary on medicated feed, I personally like to give the medicated feed to my chicks until they are integrated into the flock. I like to think I am giving them a good healthy life with it.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
They are going to outgrow that brooder extremely fast. You are also going to have chicks flying around the garage within a week if you don't put a screen over the top of that cabinet while you search for something bigger.
I recommend a trough style feeder kept up on two 2x8 boards stacked on top of each other to help minimize the amount of shavings they are gong to kick into the feed.
I also recommend fashioning a homemade "baby bottle" to keep their water clean for the same reason.
This cost me less than $10 to make and I still use it regularly with the adult flock for various reasons.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Congrats on your new flock.

This link may be interesting

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/category/hatching-eggs-raising-chickens.22/

Any questions that you may have regarding your chicks will be best posted here - http://www.backyardchickens.com/f/11/raising-baby-chicks

Pork Pie

 

[black_fleet]

View attachment 1865411 This is my husband & I's first experience with chickens. We ordered 10 female Barred Rock chicks from Tractor Supply. We have 2 kids, 2 beta fish and now 10 chicks. I refurbished an old kitchen cabinet for their first baby home while their coop is being built. We put cabinet liner down and then fresh pine wood chips. I bought an 8 pack of plastic lids at Wal-Mart to use as water dish and feeding bowl. I'm feeding them Purina chick starter (medicated). The temperature in the garage has been 85 degrees Fahrenheit and they have been content. Any other tips and recommendations will be noted and appreciated.

I usually start my chicks with the same sort of plastic lids, but I fill them with smooth river rocks (or marbles, etc) to prevent drownings. The chicks just drink from in between the rocks. Welcome and good luck with your babies!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal community! Best wishes and have lots of fun with your chicks!

 

[A little Daffy]

Hi there!
I know nothing, but enjoy "meeting" and talking with others.

 

[Tiranni]

Welcome to BYC. It's good to have ya! We have a very friendly and helpful group here.

I agree with Dobie. I found out the hard way, just how fast chicks grow. I originally had a 24 gallon plastic tub for my 15 chicks. I had to quickly expand that to two 24 gallon tubs plus a 15 gallon--all connected with a tunnel. The chicks double in size in a week, and just keep growing.

Enjoy your chicks. They are so much fun to watch grow!