New to the chicken fun

[Emily Rickard]

We bought 6 fertile eggs from the hatchery as a science project. My da and I incubated them for 31 days before the first one hatched and then on day 32 and 33 we had 2 more to hatch. 3 did not make it. They are about 4 weeks old now. The last one born is the biggest of them all. I believe that this one is full blooded Americana and the other two are bantams, however we are not sure. We have taken them outside a couple of times when it has been really warm out and they seem to do fine, they are the cutest things ever! We have been feeding them the medicated chic crumbles. Our questions now are when are they ready to go outside permanently and when should we change their feed? Also how big the coop should be for only 3 chickens? We think that 1 may me a rooster but are not sure how to tell, the yellow and brown one is the one we thing is a male. If anyone has any advice please share. I will try to upload some pictures here shortly. Thanks Emily

 

[newmarch2014]

I am new too so will not chime in on all of your great questions but will tell you to check out the learning center tab above, it has lots of great beginner advice.

 

[Emily Rickard]

Thank you for your comments on where to start. Anyone with any ideas on what kind of chicks I have please look at my photo gallery and I will try to add some better pics later today. Thanks

 

[Emily Rickard]

HEY GUYS! Its been a busy week here on the homestead, finally got outside coop ready for the chickens to go outside. I will post some pics later, for a first timer I think I did alright. The sweet little baby chicks are growing so fast, this is week 5 and 2 of the 3 are huge, 1 is a golden and brown with white touches here and there, and completely bare legs. It is a good looking chicken. I found out that this 1 is full blooded Americana. and the other 2 are Bantam and Americana. Now, I think that I have 2 males, they are kind of sparing or playing and Bigfoot(the golden one) is definitely the dominate one. they both protect Serena, and she sleeps in between Bigfoot and Clucky, cutest darn thing you ever seen. I need to know if I am going to have to get rid of 1 of the males? Has anyone had 2 males to co-habitat together without fitting? I have got some new pics that I will post in the morn. Meanwhile, good luck to all and thanks for all the great info on this site, great job.

 

[Emily Rickard]

Oh yeah I about forgot. I have taken started cutting the light off at night and I have taken the heating pad from under the small glass front coop, I built for them after they hatched, it is on the back porch. they seem to love it, and I might be hearing things but my daughter and I could swear to you we heard one of them trying to crow while she was getting ready for school. temp on the porch is around 83 daytime and 62 at night. sometimes in the mid 40s. they all seem to be doing great.