New to chickens (and a duck)

[eboersen]

Hello, we just recently got 6 chicks and a duck to raise in our backyard. Our chicks are about 2.5 weeks old, and the duck is 1 week old. I'm not sure of the exact breed of our chicks, we got them from Tractor Supply and they told us they were pullets. Our duck is a Pekin. We just moved them into their coop last night as they are getting big fast and were getting too big for the rubbermaid tub we had them in, and were starting to figure out how to fly out. Any suggestions or tips for beginners?

 

[mymilliefleur]

Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined us! I suggest you head over to the learning center, lots of great info there! Enjoy your new flock!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Hi

Glad you could join the flock! Congratulations on your new chicks and duckling Definatly check out the learning centre here is a link for an excellent section with lots of fantastic articles on raising chicks https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/hatching-eggs-and-raising-chicks They do grow so quickly I've had the same problem. I hatched 17 at the weekend and I usually like to keep them in the house for a couple of weeks in a guinea pig cage to tame them and to be quite honest to be a crazy mother hen over them :cd But yesterday I had to move them to the shed as 17 in there it was looking pretty full. So now I sit in the shed with them!!

Wishing you the very best of luck and enjoy BYC

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

You need a bigger brooder and a wire top of it. If they fly out, they probably won't figure out how to get back in, and will get chilled or worse.

 

[Michael OShay]

Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided join our flock. X2 on drumstick divas' advice, and definitely check out the link that Yorkshire coop has left with you. There is loads of good information there that will keep you from making beginners' mistakes. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your flock.

 

[eboersen]

Thanks for all the advice! They seem to be doing ok in the coop. I check on them several times throughout the day and at night before going to bed to make sure they are inside the coop by the warming lamp.They seem to enjoy their little house, especially the roosting bars.

 

[Kelsie2290]

Hello and Welcome To BYC!