New to chicks

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mashell

mashell

Hatching
5 Years
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Apr 1, 2014
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Just started this adventure a week ago with 12 chicks. Already find myself just sitting and watching all the little things they do. This is something my youngest child has been asking us to do for a year now and I'm so glad we did. It's given him some responsibility he really enjoys. I love this sight and all the advise it gives.
 
Hi, and welcome to BYC! I'm as new as you are with these chicks. Mine are 9 days old and happily in their new brooder on the back porch. There is one who is in "chirpy" jail right now. He started yesterday complaining about life and hasn't stopped but for 15 second naps. Holding him, feeding him.....nothing works. I read that this is normal. OMG! None of the others are doing this at all.
 
Hello to the both of you and welcome to BYC!

You both might want to do some reading in our learning center here on BYC for lots of great tips on raising your new brood. Good reads on all the aspects of keeping poultry...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens

https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Nothing better than Chicken TV!!
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Nanuk, babies cry and fuss when something is wrong in the brooder. Either they are too hot, too cold, there is a draft, they are cramped, hungry thirsty, lonely, sick....lots of things. So it is up to you to figure out what is going on. Start by dipping this little ones beak in the water so he knows where it is. I like to lay paper towels down for the first couple days and sprinkle starter feed all around the floor around the feeder so they can find the food well. When they figure it out in a couple days, you can remove the towels.

Make sure your temp and brooder is set correctly. Heat lamp on one side of the brooder, food and water on the other so they not only have to leave the heat to get to the goods, but there will be cool spots in the brooder. Start the heat at 95 degrees for hatchlings less than one week old. You are going to lower the heat 5 degrees each week for 6 weeks. It is best to use a red or infra-red bulb in the brooder to keep from disturbing the sleep cycle and keep them calmer.

Do not cover the lid of the brooder with anything but a screen or wire for good heat and oxygen exchange. Make sure you have enough room in the brooder and enough feeding and water stations so there is no competition. 1/2 square foot per baby is good to start.

Give this baby a once over too. Make sure he doesn't have pasty butt, no respiratory ailments going on, (runny nose, watery eyes, wheezing, coughing).

If you have done all these things well, and he still fusses, he may just be a big baby. Some babies do cry a lot and need either a bit more heat than the others or maybe more TLC from you.

Good luck to the both of you with all your adventures and welcome to our flock!
 
Thank you for the warm welcome! I've checked him thoroughly. I think the "Big Baby" theory is the one to go on. I'll keep you posted to his progress.
 
Mashell, I didn't mean to compromise your thread. I wish you the best of luck with your new chicks. Both you and your son will learn so much from this site alone. Since you and I started about the same time, I was hoping we could keep track of each others progress. I am not ashamed to admit that " I KNOW NOTHING". Let's learn together.
 
Hello :frow and Welcome To BYC! Good luck with your new chicks, sounds like you have already become addicted to Chicken Television!
 
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Good luck with your chicken raising adventures, and I hope you find everything you need to know! Glad to have you with us. Don't forget to take a look at BYC's very useful learning center (If you haven't already)!
 
nannuk said:
Mashell,  I didn't mean to compromise your thread.  I wish you the best of luck with your new chicks.  Both you and your son will learn so much from this site alone.  Since you and I started about the same time, I was hoping we could keep track of each others progress.  I am not ashamed to admit that " I KNOW NOTHING".  Let's learn together.
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