New to chickens

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sgrubbs89

sgrubbs89

In the Brooder
Sep 21, 2015
22
1
24
I've eaten plenty store bought chickens and eggs in my life.. Never had any of my own. On a whim my husband and I decided to buy chickens. Since we were at first just going no to "try it out" we didn't want to spend over $10 on an already laying hen. Couldn't find any in our area so I bought 2 baby chicks from the feed store. They were said to be 3 weeks old... However considering how tiny they were in thinking they may have been much younger but I wouldn't know.

I went in to it very blindly and bought what was suggested to me by the different feed stores I visited. I bought a 250 watt infrared light, pine shavings, feeder and water thing, and I was told they needed medicated feed. A few weeks later I wanted more so I bought 5 more chicks. An older man I see everyday selling eggs was kind enough to give me pointers and sex my chicks. Turns out I had 3 males and 4 females. One didn't make it so I'm not sure about that ratio anymore. Nor am I even sure on the breeds since he said they def look like "chicken mutts".

As of right now I have them right off of my back Patio close to the home so I can easy care for them and reach the outlet. They are in an old child's at house i converted into their little house. I cleaned it out yesterday and didn't put in more pine shavings since it was extremely messy.

Right now I let the original two out supervised in the yard for a little bit each day. In a few weeks I'll do the same for the younger ones. They are just so tiny I can't keep an eye on them as easily.

My ultimate goal is to free range them during the day and keep them secure at night.
I'd also like to get them off of the medicated feed eventually I just don't know when I can. I want to feed them as heathy as I possibly can to assure my family is getting the best eggs and they are happy little chickens.

I have 6 total and am not sure of how big of a space they'll need for housing. Their little house will be too small soon. I don't want them cramped.

Can I feed them vegetables? If so at what age? Any advice, tips and pointers are GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks!
 
Oh side note:
I was told my two first chicks were Rhode Island reds. Although they look more white than red . Idk.

The other 5 were said to be a silver laced wyandottes, and barred rocks. I wouldn't know if it were true or I was just being told that. Either way they are adorable.
 
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Welcome to Backyard chickens, glad you joined the flock. If you post some photos we would love to take a guess at your chickens. Rule of thumb(for adult birds) is 4-5 sq.ft.
per bird inside the coop - excluding nest boxes & roosts. In the outside run, 10 sq. feet per bird.

Please visit the Learning Center for a good start on your chicken education.
 
My friend who was taking are of a family members 7 hens and 1 rooster is going to give me their coop since they no longer need it. Now that that's situated I need to figure out how to upload a picture.
 
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. All of these were taken 4 days ago. I need to get some of the other two that are recent. They are growing like crazy
 
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Maude.


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Betty.

These two are very VERY loud when separated. When put back together they are fine. They typically stick by each others side at all times. The other ones are loud all the time. Except one of the little colorful black ones loves to follow the bigger girls around.
 
Hi! Welcome!
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Are they ever cute! So you started with 2...then purchased 5 more.
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That's called chicken math!
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Chickens can be quite addictive! Medicated feed isn't really an antibiotic, it contains amprollium to help young chicks combat coccidiosis. If they all look healthy with healthy poop (not runny or bloody), you can feed up what you have and switch to starter/grow mash or crumbles.
Sounds like you were well prepared! If you'll click the drop down arrow in Forum Navigation bar, you'll see the different forums you can research and post any questions in. Best of luck!
 

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