Picking up chicks tomorrow - getting cold feet! UPDATE - pic heavy!

[St-Hubert]

So....? Are they home yet? Where are the photos?!?

 

[rottdog]

it will only be a matter of time when you come back on here and say "Hi, my name is _________ and i am addicted to chickens"

 

[kipper]

Like any new thing, you will learn. It's been less than a year since we started, we are now hatching chicks in an incubator in 13 days and have 25 chicks coming 10 days after that, to be split among other people we have hooked on chickens!

You will do great, ask questions, read a lot. I think doing a dry run with your brooder and getting the heat set is my advice.

Enjoy!!!

 

[KristaBeth]

Quote:
They are home, they're great and I am in love!!!

No pics yet because I can't find the cord to my camera

Will look again after the (human) kids are in bed.

Thanks for all your support everyone!

 

[Dane Chick]

You are going to end up loving your chickens and becoming chicken obsessed - it is SO much fun, and they are so amusing! And forget the worries, it is a lot more "user friendly" of a hobby then you think. Soon you will be in love with your girls and know each one personally. Enjoy!!!

 

[Mrs. Green Thumbs]

I tried to back out with my cold feet too. My DH and I had discussed the option for 2 years, hmmd and hawed the pros and con's we were self educated and made the choice.... then that morning we were all so excited and just before we headed out the door to go get those cuties... I stalled


Me - "Huggy.... maybe we shouldn't..."


Him - "Too late we told Bubba. Your gonna LOVE them!"

Me - "And you'll help me feed them?"

Him - "Yup I love hand feeding chickens!"

as he's herding me toward the car

Me - "And you'll help me build the coop and pen?"

Him - "Yes now just get in the car all ready woman! "

Me - "And you'll help me clean up the poop?"

as we begin to drive in the direction of the farm supply store

Him - "..."

Me - "You suck"

Him - "You still love me"

Me - "Yah I guess"

lol

Now iv had them home 3 weeks and I am SOOOO glad we went through with it. They are so entertaining and fun and just the perfect addition to my family.

 

[LeghornLisa]

You will be fine!! Get some baby wipes if they get pasty butt....they only get that from the stress of shipping and baby wipes work great! Be ready to be addicted. Enjoy!!

 

[jjparke]

Piece of cake. The hardest part is the facilities. Once you are set up it's all pretty easy from there on out. Then you can branch off into other projects other than just keeping hens. Like breeding or incubating and hatching or meaties. It's all fun. Good luck.

 

[Chickenmaven]

If you have three kids, chicks will be a breeze!!!!!!

Have fun.

 

[kelidei]

I agree with Huntsman--- Sooner or later you will loose a bird--- I lost a chick just a few days after shipping with my second bunch, I lost a pullet to a freak accident (broke her neck) and I had to dispatch my Columbian Wyandotte roo due to an injury that became chronic despite lots of care. It is hard---especially the first time you have to cull. But the joys far outweigh these few incidences. Just don't worry too much--- in the end it is all part of the circle of life. I have some wonderful birds fathered by my CW roo--- in this way he lives on. It helps to remember--- at least it helped me--- that if something negative does happen I gave them a wonderful life as long as they were with me.

I have had my birds for over a year--- I just added my third coop and run and a new bunch of chicks-- I have about 90 birds now--- and these few things were the only bad experiences. Once you have weathered a few pasty butts, nursed a few back to health your confidence will grow. Good luck--- and most importantly--- enjoy them!

PS--- btw-- the people here are WONDERFUL--- they'll help you navigate the early weeks with lots of knowledge and support.