paper towel flooring

[catterbug]

So my chicks arrive in 3 days. I already have a fish tank to put them in. I was going to get a few things today. I see many people use paper towels on the floor. How long do you do that for? Do you put wood chips under that?

I got a heat lamp, I thougt I would just use a bowl for water and the food to start since I am able to change them frequently.

I am so excited and a little nervous. I am a first timer. Any other helpful suggestions for just starting would be appreciated.

 

[froggie71]

First of all Congrats on getting new chickies. They are so much fun. I've alway had wood chip on the bottom of brooder with paper towel on top for at least a couple of days to a week. Keeps the babies from eating the wood chips and learning what the food is first. Becareful with having a bowl of water. The chicks can get in a bowl and drown. You can have a shallow dish and fill with marbles so that they can get the water, but not drown. Also with a bowl of food...it is easy to change, but the chicks get in the bowl and poop in it and scratch in the feed and that leads to a lot of waste. Have fun with your new little ones and post pics when they arrive.

 

[mandyplo]

Im a new timer too and hoping to buy some baby chicks soon too! I read up a little and have a few suggestions, for a feeder (rather than a bowl) I'd go out to your local feed store and buy one of those feeders with the holes in them that can come in plastic and metal (I have a circular metal one for my full grown chickens but for lil chicks I would get a long one, not circular), that way the chicks cant get inside and poop and scratch in their food, and its easy to clean.

You can also buy a waterer for them, that they also cant poop in or tip over, you can buy both for probably about 4 or 5 bucks each at your local feed store

Here is a pic of the Feeder, this ones plastic but they also come in metal, your preference I guess

And here is a pic of the waterer

Most people use these for their chicks and they're cheap n easy to clean

Hope this helps!

 

[mandyplo]

OH and PLEASE post pics of the lil cuties when they arrive !!!

Just so I can "awweee" over them and get jealous

haha

 

[catterbug]

Thanks so much. I didn't think about drowning in a water bowl. I guess they are just like human babies in the bath tub!

So is there a waterer and a food container that would work well for both adult chickens as well as baby chickens so that I don't have to buy so many?

 

[ShaggysGirl]

You can use a larger water for babies just put clean marbles in it. Tiny chicks tend to fall asleep where they stand and can plop down head first into a deep water. I use a tiny chick ones till they are a couple weeks old them go to the bigger ones.

 

[Laurajean]

I have to echo what everyone else said: Don't rely on a bowl for water or food. They will definitely fall asleep in the water and drown, and waste tons of food by pooping in it. A lot of things you can do yourself, but not with feeders, in my opinion. I bought special chick feeders and waterers at my local feed store, and they were literally like $1.49 each! Don't risk it. Do lots of reading on this board too, people here have helped me tremendously! Good luck.

 

[elmo]

Also, keep an eye on the temperature in a fish tank brooder. You'll need to watch that it doesn't get too hot in there. It's good to have a warmer end and a cooler end so chicks can find the temperature that's comfortable for them; some fish tanks are nowhere near long enough to allow for that possibiility.

 

[Littletonchicks]

Hi, thanks for all the good information here. I to am a first timer and my chicks come in five or six days. I am so excited. I feel like a new mom again. I have gotten the round feeder for the chicks and a small waterer for them also. I was told to put in pebbles or marbles so they won't drown in it also. I am starting with 14. I hope that isn't too many. Anyway, this is a great place to learn a lot of information and thank all of you for your responses to everyone's questions. Maybe I will post pics too.

 

[Coffee4Me]

It is so nice to hear from other nervous newbies! I'm getting my six chicks tomorrow afternoon! How is it going for you all so far?