Picking up my first chicks tonight!

[Maegan Moaratty]

Christmas is coming early as I get to pick up five 1-day-old chicks tonight instead of later this weekend Excitement aside, I'd like to ensure I have adequate supplies for their homecoming. The lady at the local feed store is very knowledgeable, but came off a tiny bit condescending toward my inexperience, so I'd like to show up tonight with a bit more confidence in my ability to properly care for them. I've been doing research and talking to friends with experience, but want to post on here as well— Below is my understanding of what they'll need;

-A large box that can have an area blocked off when your chicks are very small, and then opened up for more space as they grow (deep as well to ensure they can't escape)
-Heat source (I ordered the Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder for Chicks)
-Bedding (Suggested type?)
-Waterer
-Feeder
-Food (Suggested kind?)

Also, anything aside from pasty butt I should be keeping an eye out for?

Any tips, tricks, or advice are always greatly appreciated

 

[Wezdin]

There are a lot of opinions for bedding, but I put newspaper down and change it daily.
As for food You want chick starter, medicated or not. Some people put nutri-drench in the water for an extra boost for them.

 

[Maegan Moaratty]

There are a lot of opinions for bedding, but I put newspaper down and change it daily.
As for food You want chick starter, medicated or not. Some people put nutri-drench in the water for an extra boost for them.

Oh okay, thank you That's helpful!

 

[rosemarythyme]

-A large box that can have an area blocked off when your chicks are very small, and then opened up for more space as they grow (deep as well to ensure they can't escape)
-Heat source (I ordered the Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder for Chicks)
-Bedding (Suggested type?)
-Waterer
-Feeder
-Food (Suggested kind?)

Box: Not sure how many chicks you're getting or how large the box you have, but keep in mind they grow FAST so you need space for that.

Also no box will ever be deep enough to stop them from jumping out, and they'll do so from a very young age. 18-24" is no big deal for a 2-3 week old chick, and that's before they can fly. So a secure cover of some sort is a must.

Or... assuming you have no other chickens and the coop is ready and has access to electricity, you could just brood them in the coop.

Bedding: I wouldn't do newspaper as it's slippery and can cause splayed legs. For same reason avoid any other material that's too smooth. Things like paper towels, puppy pads provide better traction, though I just go straight to wood shavings. There's some concern that chicks will eat some shavings as they get used to eating their food but I use larger flake shavings and haven't had issue yet.

Food: Chick starter would be an appropriate food, type/brand is up to you. I do like having some chick vitamins on hand (such as the nutri-drench, or there's dry vitamin mixes too) just to give them a boost for a few days to help them cope with the stress of being in a new environment.

 

[Grits&Eggs]

I set up a dog cage lined with newsprint and added shredded newspaper. I never had a problem with them escaping but around 4 weeks I had to put them outside since they were getting ansy! Also, I put a couple concrete blocks for water since if you put anything in there they will eventually start kicking it up and the water will show it! yay - have fun with your new babies

 

[Grits&Eggs]

oh, and they can drown, so be sure to do a jar lid or sanctioned watering dish

 

[Maegan Moaratty]

Box: Not sure how many chicks you're getting or how large the box you have, but keep in mind they grow FAST so you need space for that.

The box is 36"x36" and 27" high (will still have a well ventilated cover over the top so they can't escape).​

Also no box will ever be deep enough to stop them from jumping out, and they'll do so from a very young age. 18-24" is no big deal for a 2-3 week old chick, and that's before they can fly. So a secure cover of some sort is a must.

Or... assuming you have no other chickens and the coop is ready and has access to electricity, you could just brood them in the coop.

Coop will be ready in approximately three weeks​

Bedding: I wouldn't do newspaper as it's slippery and can cause splayed legs. For same reason avoid any other material that's too smooth. Things like paper towels, puppy pads provide better traction, though I just go straight to wood shavings. There's some concern that chicks will eat some shavings as they get used to eating their food but I use larger flake shavings and haven't had issue yet.

I'll look into the wood shavings at the feed store, thank you for the tip!​

Food: Chick starter would be an appropriate food, type/brand is up to you. I do like having some chick vitamins on hand (such as the nutri-drench, or there's dry vitamin mixes too) just to give them a boost for a few days to help them cope with the stress of being in a new environment.

Someone else mentioned the nutri-drench so I'll probably pick some of that up with the food, thank you! ​

 

[Maegan Moaratty]

oh, and they can drown, so be sure to do a jar lid or sanctioned watering dish

Good to know! Thank you, I'll definitely keep that in mind. I'm looking forward to learning so much about them as they grow. This forum has already been so informative and helpful and I'm sure I'll be heavily relying on advice through their maturity

 

[RodNTN]

-A large box that can have an area blocked off when your chicks are very small, and then opened up for more space as they grow (deep as well to ensure they can't escape)
As @rosemarythyme mentioned above, chicks grow extremely fast; so you'll probably need that extra room sooner than expected

-Heat source (I ordered the Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder for Chicks)
Great choice!

-Bedding (Suggested type?)
I wouldn't go with newspaper, as it can cause splayed leg. You could go with paper towels, but you have to change quite a lot, so I would go with pine shavings, they're great!

-Food (Suggested kind?)
Any type of chick starter is fine, but I would avoid Dumor. I tried it and my chicks weren't as active as they usually are, plus it made their poop stinkier.
My favorite feed is Purina's Start and Grow. You can buy either medicated or non-medicated, if you have good brooder hygiene though medication isn't a must.

Just in case any of the chicks are lethargic, have some Nutri-Drench or Sav-A-Chick on hand What breeds are you getting?

 

[N F C]

This might be helpful to you:
how-to-raise-baby-chicks—the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691

Congrats on your upcoming flock of littles!