New to chickens, can’t wait!

[Shellebelle920]

Hi @MRichmond! I’m also a fellow WEstern PA native starting up my own flock. I am due to receive my hatching eggs any day now! Good luck to you!

 

[MRichmond]

Hope you enjoy all this site has to offer. As a new chicken keeper, first thing to get ready is the brooder to put those cute little fuzz balls in when you get them home. There is so much info here you can access on that and all kinds of other things to do with anything chicken.
When it comes time to build that coop, keep in mind the critters lurking in those woods, that look at your flock like a free buffet. Build your coop and run not just to keep your girls in but more to keep the critters out. That includes attacks from the air. Those girls depend on you to keep them safe!! Happy chicken keeping

Could I get away with using a large plastic dog crate as a brooder, or would I be better off with something that offers more visibility from above like a big plastic tub? I’m getting one of the Premier warming plates instead of a heat lamp.

 

[MRichmond]

Hi @MRichmond! I’m also a fellow WEstern PA native starting up my own flock. I am due to receive my hatching eggs any day now! Good luck to you!

Hi Shelle,

I’m in Hopewell, where do you live?

 

[fldiver97]

Welcome! Glad you decided to join. Yes, you can use a tote but beware that the chicks grow quickly. Cover the tote with some type of screen, secure the top to prevent your 4 legged family to get too close. Check out the learning section, the coop section for some raising chick advice and coop/run ideas

 

[Shellebelle920]

Hi Shelle,

I’m in Hopewell, where do you live?

We are south of Pittsburgh in the Mon valley area. Are you close to Freehling farms? I am hatching out silkies, cream legbars and French Black Copper Marans, having exchequer leghorns chicks shipped and then picking up a Salmon Faverolles chick and a speckled Sussex chick from Freehling Farms. It’s all new to me too, so I’m just hoping for the best. I have a puppy playpen that’s i am using as their brooder, if you happen to have one of those.

 

[Kiki]

Could I get away with using a large plastic dog crate as a brooder, or would I be better off with something that offers more visibility from above like a big plastic tub? I’m getting one of the Premier warming plates instead of a heat lamp.

Dog crate can work.

 

[Brahmachicken240]

Nice to meet you
Welcome to Backyard Chickens
Good luck starting your flock!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Could I get away with using a large plastic dog crate as a brooder, or would I be better off with something that offers more visibility from above like a big plastic tub? I’m getting one of the Premier warming plates instead of a heat lamp.

Dog crates our great for brooder use paper towels less mess if you have a wire crate that works best Welcome to Backyard Chickens hope you enjoy as much as we do

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!!

That pendant is beautiful!

Feel free to check out the links below for some interesting reading. Good luck to you!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

Miss Piggy Sue says, “Welcome to our eggcelent flock here at BYC!”