New to chickens in Florida

[sunnygirlz]

Hi everyone,

I am new to chickens and very appreciative to have this site available to ask questions and find out about everything chicken

I recently acquired four - 1 month old hens, 2 Blue Plymouth Rocks, 1 Cream Legbar and 1 Black Star. I'm still in the process of building their coop and run, it's taking longer than i anticipated! I currently put the girlz outside in a temporary pen during the day, and a dog crate in my garage at night and its working well, but I'm sure they would appreciate a permanent home soon

I do 2 questions.

1 - Do I need to give the girlz grit right now? If so, do I need to acquire the small granules?

2- Do people use DE for fleas? I have not seen them on the girlz, but I know they are in the yard because I'm finding them on my dogs (I treat my dogs with flea liquid on their necks). And is DE safe?

Thank you

 

[sourland]

Hello, and welcome to BYC. Grit for your birds is a good idea. You will get mixed opinions on the efficacy of DE.

 

[Dottie the Chicken]

The girls should have grit to help grind their food, as they do not have teeth in their beaks.
And Welcome!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens, the pulse beat of the chicken community.

 

[Isaac 0]

Hello, and Welcome to BackYard Chickens!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• How to start a new thread
• Find other BYC members nearby using the links in my signature, below (turn your phone to landscape to see them).
• Hatching / Chick-care

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Riv-6]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! Glad you joined!

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUNomenal Flock!

Best Wishes & Be Well!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Yes on the chick grit, no in the DE. Make sure they have loose, dry dirt to bathe in daily.

 

[N F C]

Hi, thanks for joining us!