We drove the hour to Murray McMurray Hatchery this morning to pick up our 11 chicks. (mininum order for pick up is 10 + a free rare exotic) Seems they added a free xtra chick to the order and when we got home and opened the box to place them in the brooder we found an additional chick. So...a total of 13 chicks were placed in the brooder. My son (14) and I spent about 1 1/2hrs watching them adjust to their new temporary home. WOW!!! What an adventure this is going to be!!! We have been talking about and waiting for this day to arrive for about 6 months since I deceided to get chickens.
Is seems the dog is not interested in the chicks at all, but the cat has spent most of the day watching from a top the brooder! I built the wire fabric cover in anticipation of her interest! I live in Northern Iowa so I didn't want the brooder out in the garage until the temps get a little warmer. So for now they will reside in the basement! As you can see from the pictures Sammie has been content watching from above! lol
As this is a backyard flock and its more about the fresh eggs and the keeping of chickens I ordered one of several heavy breeds. I have the following chicks: Delware, Light Brahmas, Columbian Wyandotte, New Hampshires, 1xtra New Hampshires, Barred Rock, Black Giants, Buff Orpingtons, Rhode Island Red, Silver Lace Wyandotte, Black Australorp, free rare exotic, and one unknow chick.
I have been lurking this site for about 4months reading everything I can. I have purchased and picked up several chicken related magizines over the last 6months and a couple books, also picked the brain of several Tractor Supply employees(a great group of people), so I hope I'm prepared for this new adventure, but I do welcome any info that can be passed along to this novice that will be helpful as I go along.
John and Joey Richards
Mason City, Iowa
Just getting ready to introduce the chicks to there new temporary home.
WOW!! This beats the last place we had!!
Seems everyone is adjusting ok.
The brooder is 4'x4' and currently is divided in half until they get bigger, of course they are staying close to the heat lamp but ther is room for them to venture off if they get to warm. Paper will come up tomorrow after there first day.
"Hmmmm....I wonder what those little critters are doing in there??"
"Oh I didn't hear you, I was busy keeping an eye on these critters!!"
Great looking set up. Great idea about splitting it in two for later expansion. Love miss kitty. Glad you're being cautious with kitty. The small, quick critters really catch their attention. I've found as adult chickens, the cats have little interest in them and get in the chicken yard and sometimes even in the nests without any fuss from either chicken or kitty. One of these days I think Mr. Red the Rooster will not appreciate that but so far, so good. Good "luck" with your first batch. CAUTION: You'll get Chicken Fever! Chickens are addictive! Read "chicken math" posts to see!
