Raising 3 chicks

[lazy gardener]

One other poster, I don't remember who... also mentioned that meat birds who have natural day/night cycles are not prone to the orthopedic problems that plague meat birds which are brooded under heat lamps.

 

[4 ever Orpington]

So we have 3 chicks and are raising them for the first time. Hopefully we are successful. We are using fine bedding kiln dried pine in a tote. Feeding them start and grow purina poultry feed. With a heat lamp setup. I know that we need to make sure they are warm enough. My worry is they are pecking at the tote bottom. Any advice?

 

[aimwad]

Welcome!

I also have 3 chicks and this is my first time raising from chick. I hope to add a few more chicks in a year or so. I'm limited by my city's ordinance.

One suggestion that I have is if you live in an area where there may be some warmer weather, you could take your chicks outside for an hour or 2. I used the top portion of a dog crate that I have when my chicks were about 2 weeks old. At around 4 weeks I put them in the run part of their coop. They loved the outside time I gave them to scratch around and peck at the ground.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

I'm expecting 3 chicks via mail next week. This will be my 2nd mini-flock (first was about 10years ago, they've all passed on). I followed BYC back then as a total newbie, SO APPRECIATE everyone and knowledge sharing. I remember just keeping the bedroom I had my babies in nice and warm but no heat lamp BUT I didn't get them through the mail and they were already a few weeks old. So this time.... You're saying use a heating pad under the box - ? Sounds good. I cant believe the difference between 10years ago and now in terms of feed selections. I'm utterly confused as to what to buy and whether or not to do medicated.... I did not do medicated last time and this time is a completely new 1 acre property. I think they are fed medicated in the box they come in? Some medicated kind of gel - ? Anyone know what cackle puts in the box - ? Good to be back!

 

[ChickNanny13]

WELCOME BACK SandyRiverChick, glad you hung around & getting back into the FLOCK of BYCers There's a thread on MHP by Blooie, the idea with the heating pad is mimicking the hen, raising the chicks outdoors after a week of observation in house. Heating pad encased in a pillow case or wrapped in a towel to protect it, over a frame work (mimicking a hen). I feed medicated starter (smallest bag I can get) & ferment (FF, Anyone Using, another thread worth reading) feed. Then switch them to Flock Raiser (others switch to All Purpose, Multi Flock, etc...) which I also ferment. When the pullets get close laying I put in a dish of Oyster Shells, I always have a dish of grit for chicks & adults. in the Forums, so much information & ideas

 

[SandyRiverChick]

That is SO clever !!! I'm definitely going to try it. And thank you so much for feed advice! I have 2 orders - 3 mail order babies and then 8 weeks later 2 Lavender Orp started pullets, so they will be same age. I mean.... PURPLE CHICKENS!!! I wanted a few Orps anyhow so I just had too!!! So much has changed between my first flock and this one.