So excited to join your group. I have lots of questions.

[Sgildersleeve11]

I just began with baby chicks (a variety of breeds) about a month ago. My husband built a wonderful large coop for them. The chicks have grown so very quickly. Do they need grit with their feed or is the feed already grit enough? Also, do you recommend using any special way to get the chicks to go into the nesting boxes or the enclosed area? I know they are not ready to lay eggs yet, but I want them to get use to the area. We have a ladder that leads to the boxes and enclosed area, and they are using the ladder but they will not go into the box area. Thank you in advance for any advice.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC and congrats on your new hobby. Many of your questions will be found in the Learning Centre and Articles links below.

Here are some links to useful resources:

• List of guides on how to use the site - “How to...” guides
• Great go-to resource - Learning Centre
• Good starting point for browsing the site - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue
• Excellent sources of local information - U.S. States, UK, Europe, Australia, Canada

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[Hencraze24]

If your chicks are outside, they can find their own grit. try putting fake eggs in the nesting boxes, they may be attached.

also, welcome to byc.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to our FUN-omenal community! Best wishes and have lots of FUN!

 

[Perris]

hello @Sgildersleeve11 ! welcome to BYC
do try the links Pork Pie provided - there is tons of info in the learning centre!

 

[Kiki]

Welcome to BYC.
We are glad you joined this flock!
Jump right in and make yourself at home.

This video will help you learn how to navigate this site:

Coop Ideas:
Chicken Coops.

What exactly did you Google to get here? <<<<<<<<<<<

BYC has an APP!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Even though my chicks are on the ground, I provide grit in a separate container at all times. They still eat that.
At this point, you want to discourage the chicks from going in the nest box. You want them on the roost.
When young chicks go in the nest box they have a blast kicking the nesting material everywhere and burying the eggs. If they go in it to sleep you have to clean it out every morning or suffer poopy eggs.
I would block of the nest boxes until they start to show signs that they've reached POL.

 

[Meg-in-MT]

Hello! Welcome to BYC!!

X2 what @DobieLover said!

Feel free to check out the links below for some interesting reading. Good luck on your adventures!​

 

[ocap]

welcome to BYC
the pullets will be confused about nest boxes until each one lays an egg on your coop floor, that is the time you will begin to try and encourage nest box visits. They will then understand and seek a quiet, dark, & peaceful place to lay.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Welcome!