OOHHH NNOOO!!!! I've done it now!

[catdaddy66]

Yep; I told my wife we would be getting more chickens last summer and I am true to my word! Today I ordered 20 chicks from Ideal Hatchery out of Texas!! My wife just shook her head. She did stipulate that they were NOT to be brooded indoors, and I must agree with her as it was an unreal mess. The dust is a nightmare but the birds are AWESOME!!

I am already scheming to build a brooder with electricity for the little ones needs. I have a structure that will be a shelter for it. This means a flurry of work prior to the 3/10/11 shipping date but it should be fun!!

 

[JLS]

Sounds Like Fun

Congrats!!!

 

[catdaddy66]

I forgot to tell the breeds I got... 4 each of 5 different breeds. Black Australorps, Gold Sex Links, Ameracuanas, Delawares and Buff Orpingtons. I had some BA's before but they were killed at 10 weeks old.

Never had the other breeds before, though my EE's are related to the Ameracuanas.

 

[terrilhb]

You mentioned mess. I have 12 eggs in incubator. We are planning on keeping the babies in a brooder in our bathroom till they are fully feathered. What am I in for? HELP

 

[Leah and peeps]

Quote:
Good Luck!

They can get pretty darn messy!


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Congrats catdaddy66! You should post pics. once you get them!

 

[terrilhb]

Am I crazy? It is just so cold out I want them to have their feathers 1st. This is my 1st time. When we got our chicks during the summer it was warm. How bad will it be?

 

[ourlittleflock]

Quote:
dust ever - it is great to see the chicks and handle them easily in the warmth of your home - but, man the dust that comes along with it....

 

[shellyga]

Terri... I have two brooders (created from dog crates) and yes.. they can be a bit messy.. I don't have a good place outside though.. and decided it was worth it. DH and I give the brooders a GOOD cleaning each Sunday afternoon - they have super thick layer of shavings..now that they are feathering out... there is a fine layer of baby fuzz feathers and shavings dust..which is vacumned each weekend too. Another hint is to put an old sheet around the base outside your brooder (depending on how large your opening is) that can be shaken out from time to time.

I love the little fuzzy butts though.. so I don't mind a little clean up. They grow up so fast

Shelly

 

[terrilhb]

Thanks everyone. I don't mind the extra work at all. I am so enjoying raising chickens and my goats. Love them.

 

[Lofty Dreams]

My new chicks are in the bathroom last year I put up plastic to keep the dust from flying.