new to chicks and have LOTS of questions!!!

[samygwin9]

I decided to start this thread for all my chick questions since my "ceder shavings?" thread was getting a bit off topic. here i'll post all my questions and pics of them growing up! so right now I have 11 Rhode Island Red chicks their 3 weeks at the moment and are so cute! TIME FOR QUESTIONS!!!
1. belive this or not we keep our house at 80F. because my family HATES the cold so what time should we turn the heat lamp off the chicks?
2. at what age should we move the chicks into the coop? we live in TN.
3. what are good treats for the chicks?
4. anybody have names for them? we have three named all ready Fly, Jazzmin, and Red ~ the rooster ~
5.does anyone know a cheap place to get quality chicken wire?
that's all for now will post more later!

 

[poodlechicks]

Hi!
I am new to BYC and also new to raising chicks, but I might be able to help you with the treat question. My BO are going to be 3 wks old Monday. I started feeding them treats once they turned 2wks. I've read here somewhere that some started earlier and didn't have any trouble.
The first treat I gave was a boiled egg, mashed. They weren't on grit yet and I felt the egg was soft enough that they wouldn't need the grit. They loved it. Next, The next treat I gave them was mealworms, but I offered them grit first. They went crazy for the mealworms and that also helped me with the taming. Now, when I approach the brooder, they all flock toward my hand thinking I have mealworms for them

I also gave them broccoli leaves and they enjoyed it very much. Just remember to offer grit when you start to give treats. I don't give them too many treats because I want them to eat more of the chick starter, plus, I want them to associate myself and my family with good things, so I always hand feed them the treats. The mealworms I still place on my gloved hand, as I'm still a little grossed out by them
Hope it helps and not too long of a reply. Best of luck with your chicks.

 

[cafarmgirl]

FYI, several of the lighter print colors you chose for your post make it very hard to read.

Chicks can often move to their coop when they are fully feathered, around 5 weeks of age. If it is still very cold where you live you might give them a heat lamp so they can warm up if needed. Otherwise they should be fine.

As far as a heat lamp in the house... if your house really is kept that hot then they are probably fine without one at this point. Just keep an eye on them, especially if the house is cooler at night.

I would seriously NOT suggest using cheap chicken wire for your coop/run. Yes it will keep your birds in but just about every predator out there can rip right through it with no problem.

 

[samygwin9]

@cafarmgirl sorry about that i'll change the colors too make it easier and I know its hard to belive but we realy do keep the house that hot.

I guess I didn't think about the predators ..fail .... let me refrase the question. the cheapest place to get quality chicken wire? if their is one...
@poodlechicks too long of a reply pfft no sutch thing.

I will definatly be trying some of these! oh and good luck with your chicks too!

I just want to say this now that the @ thing is cuz my computers kinda messin up and can't quote at the moment.

 

[QuietPony]

let me refrase the question. the cheapest place to get quality chicken wire? if their is one...

There is a difference between chicken wire and hardware cloth. Chicken wire is the thinner twisted hexagon like mesh and it's great for say covering the top of a run so hawks can't swoop in and snatch your babies. "Hardware cloth" is usually a welded wire with different gauge holes that make it more difficult for say a raccoon to reach in and grab your chickens one piece at a time, as they would easily be able to with "chicken wire."

Check around your local home building stores (or Sunday's paper) because they often have specials on this. I know Menards in my area has a decent deal on hardware cloth. Or search online, although shipping might not make it worthwhile.

Hope this helps.

 

[samygwin9]

good info! very helpful I didn't even know their was a difference! well looks like I need to study more!

I've been looking it and I might get everything from lowes.

 

[QuietPony]

good info! very helpful I didn't even know their was a difference! well looks like I need to study more!

I've been looking it and I might get everything from lowes.

So glad to help! Homework is great! I don't know where I would be if I had not found this forum and started lurking a couple years ago. lol
I plan on using a mixture of chicken wire, hardware cloth and even an old 1"x2" welded dog kennel to secure my coop and run.
Just plan to have enough space, and secure them up from predators. And remember bigger is always better!
Good luck! This forum loves pictures!! Post them when you get started. Someone new will come along and learn from whatever it is you create as a safe place for your chicks! I can't wait to start posting my own construction pictures. Mine are still brooding, so we have a couple (two/three) weeks to get this sucker started. If only the weather was as eager as I am.

 

[samygwin9]

GOOD NEWS!!! Jazz is CURED of pasty butt!! Yay!!

the chicks are 4 weeks today as well! they look amazing their feathers are coming in great!

i'm also going to try and name them all today! since I can ... more or less ... tell them apart!

 

[Robbo]

Pictures?

I am new to chicks as well but wanted some eggs for home and just the fun of taking care of something. I am a huge animal person and love all types. Our house is a bit busy with animals sun up to sun down.

We have 2 chicks and a duckling. I tried going back to get him a friend but all our stores are out of ducklings now and no one seems to be selling them around town. But that is okay! He seems very happy with one of our chicks, Gracie. He has imprinted on her and does everything with her. He wont let her out of his site.

We know the two chicks (so far) are looking like females. The Duckling we are unsure on still, he/she is only 2 weeks old.

 

[MountainMeadows]

There is a difference between chicken wire and hardware cloth. Chicken wire is the thinner twisted hexagon like mesh and it's great for say covering the top of a run so hawks can't swoop in and snatch your babies. "Hardware cloth" is usually a welded wire with different gauge holes that make it more difficult for say a raccoon to reach in and grab your chickens one piece at a time, as they would easily be able to with "chicken wire."

Check around your local home building stores (or Sunday's paper) because they often have specials on this. I know Menards in my area has a decent deal on hardware cloth. Or search online, although shipping might not make it worthwhile.

Hope this helps.

I've had a coon grab through the chicken wire and get a baby before. Good to know about the hardware cloth! Learn something new everyday!