Questions from a new user...

[salemslot]

Hello everyone! Great site!

I am new to the site and to chickens. I will be getting 4 baby chicks next Tuesday, March 31st and I have a few questions. I plan on buying them from Smith Farms Stores.

1. When and where do I feed them? In the coop or their run? Do I keep water in the coop or just in the run?

2. What should the run be lined with? Sawdust? Hay? Just the ground?

3. What should the coop be lined with? Sawdust? Hay?

I will be raising these chickens as pets and for eggs.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

I would also like to know where I could get "fancy" chickens that are also good layers. I am in Northern Indiana, close to Plymouth.

Thank you-
Ray

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

from TN

 

[ranchhand]

Hi Ray,

from South Carolina!

You're not being ignored, but your questions are a bit overwhelming!

How old are these chicks going to be? If day-olds, they need to be kept at about 95 degrees the first week, and then reduce the temp by 5 degrees each week. I usually raise chicks in the house for the first 5-6 weeks, depending upon weather.

Wood shavings are a good bedding, but only pine. The aromatics from cedar shavings can kill chickens.

There are a LOT more details that will help you in the Index, located in the blue bar above, under the heading "Raising Baby Chicks". Please spend some time reading there. Sometimes the info seems to conflict, but weigh it all out and choose for yourself.

Good luck! And feel free to keep asking questions, this is where I learned!

 

[justusnak]

HI Ray, and

First....the chicks you are getting, are they going to be little babies!? If so, they will need to be in a brooder with a heat lamp. It should be about 90 degrees for the first week, then drop the temp by 5 degrees a week, untill the temp meets the outside temps. Once they are fully feathered, they can go outside, usually about 8 weeks old. As for the coop floor, some use straw, some use pine shaveings. NEVER use cedar! Thier run...well...usually just dirt, sand, gravel...whatever. If you use straw and pine in the run, after it gets wet, it tends to stink....REALLY BAD!

I feed and water mine IN the coop. This way, they remember where "home " is....if you free range them. Just remember, chicken wire is for keeping chickens in, NOT for keeping predators out. So, unless you are planning to be with them while they are int he run, you will want to use something stronger than plain old chicken wire. Check around the forum...there are lots of great ideas on design...what works, and what doesnt. Oh, and make sure your coop is bigger than you plan...this chicken thing is addictive!!

 

[peckndirt]

Welcome To BYC..........

 

[n-da-woods]

Welcome To BYC from NC

 

[patyrdz]

Hi, and Welcome from North Carolina!

You do need to keep them in a brooder for the first few weeks, some people use a plastic container (like what you can get at wal-mart) or an old fish tank. I use just a heat light that you can hang (lowes)with a regular light bulb. Make sure they can get away from the light if they get hot! Feed them chick starter and make sure you put rocks, or marbles in the water so they don't drown! In the brooder I use pine shavings. I don't use anything in the pen, because they roost at night. As long as you keep them warm, dry and fed/watered they should be ok!! Hope this helps!

Good luck!!

 

[debilorrah]

I keep their feed outside in the coop, and line the hen house with straw, and just leave the dirt outside. They love to dust bathe and have quite a few holes now

Now that I have said that, take yourself over the the Raising Baby Chicks forum for all the info you need. You cannot put them outside yet, until fully feathered. Head on over there! Lots of info.

 

[old mill poultry]

 

[The Chicken Lady]

Glad to have you here!