new to chicks and have LOTS of questions!!!

[SA Farm]

I decited not to get the dominiques i'm fighting the urge to get some but I just can't get them for a few reasons
1. I don't realy want mixed breeds (my roo is a RIR)
2. I think it might be a little too soon for more chicks (I might get some next spring but now's not a good time)

Very responsible of you! Still...

 

[SA Farm]

Still no word on chicks or coop...
Questions though-
1) I ordered chicks from efowl.com and paid the extra for the marecks disease vaccine for them. So question is if I came across another chick along the way locally... do I need to find out if they've been vaccinated for marecks? Or just add another chick and not worry?

2) How do chicks arrive when they are shipped? How do they stay warm enough? Do you meet the truck at the post office. Will the post office take care to keep them warm until I get there? Will they call me right away?

3) When chicks arrive should I put a little of the chick electrolyte stuff in their water? Check for pasty butt? What should I do for the best success in them surviving the trip to their nice warm home?

I want my chicks. I wish they would get here..Bok Bok! ~~~Sandy

1) Medicated chick feed.
2) They usually arrive in a cardboard box with bedding and holes in it. They stay warm with body heat (Usually why most shippers have a minimum number of chicks they'll send. I'm not sure. They will keep each other warm. You should be informed by efowl or the post office what day they are due to arrive so you can be sure to get them.
3)Yes. Yes. Just make sure the brooder is set up before you pick up the chicks and dip their beaks in the water when you get home.

 

[samygwin9]

just want to say this now I have no problems with mixed breeds but I show my poultry and can't have them.

 

[anichka]

omg , i am not the only one. we bought our 5 black sexlinks yesterday. day 2 for us. i am using a reptile thermometer the opposite wall of where the lamp is. i am not sure why, but the temp is too hot. at least thats what it shows. it shows 100. maybe i didnt put the thermometer in the right place?? ( not sure) read it somewhere it has to be on the floor, not sure if i should change the placing of it. how do i know if they are too hot?
they are in a really large box with cedar shavings, food and water. how long do i keep them in the box? when do they get to go outside in a coop? when can i feed them warms, and other veggies? i am not sure when i should order the coop and electric chicken fence for my backyard.

any help would be appreciated.

 

[samygwin9]

I can help ya with this one

first of all you probably shouldn't be using cedar shavings it can cause respitory problems. pine is mutch safer.
you can start feeding treats at about 2 weeks. when the chicks are fully feathered you can put them in the coop with the heat lamp on only at night. hope this helped!

 

[SA Farm]

omg , i am not the only one. we bought our 5 black sexlinks yesterday. day 2 for us. i am using a reptile thermometer the opposite wall of where the lamp is. i am not sure why, but the temp is too hot. at least thats what it shows. it shows 100. maybe i didnt put the thermometer in the right place?? ( not sure) read it somewhere it has to be on the floor, not sure if i should change the placing of it. how do i know if they are too hot?
they are in a really large box with cedar shavings, food and water. how long do i keep them in the box? when do they get to go outside in a coop? when can i feed them warms, and other veggies? i am not sure when i should order the coop and electric chicken fence for my backyard.

any help would be appreciated.

If the chicks are too hot, they will stay away from the lamp, if they are too cold they will huddle together underneath it.
Like Sam said, cedar shavings aren't a good bedding, switch to pine if you can.
Two weeks for treats, they are usually feathered enough to move outside by 5 weeks especially if the weather is really warm. You can also take them out for day trips after two weeks.

 

[anichka]

So much conflicted info. Grrrr. What do I with a 50lb bag of cedar chips? Not sure the store will take it back

 

[SA Farm]

So much conflicted info. Grrrr. What do I with a 50lb bag of cedar chips? Not sure the store will take it back

If you have trees, you could put the cedar around the trunks for decoration...otherwise

 

[samygwin9]

I been there. I STILL have a bag a ceder in my closet.

 

[anichka]

Why would the chicken lady at a store would recommend it, if its not good for them??