Spring 2017 first timers post!

[Magnolia7330]

Picked up my first chicks today

How many chicks did you get? They are adorable.

 

[Treerooted]

How many chicks did you get? They are adorable.

That would be 36

 

[fangedknight]

Here they are!

 

[lurae]

I have a few layers currently but will be picking up 10 chicks on May 12th (hatch date is the 11th). I haven't had babies for 30+ years so could sure use some advice. Way back in my chicken days I had stacked brooders and raised 100 chicks a year to butcher. Now just looking at a few layers. My current girls are laying great, first season for them. I will have the chicks in a big bathtub (indoors) for a few weeks, not sure how long and then put them in a larger brooder outside until they are big enough to go out with my current free-range hens.

Now my questions:
I'm going to build my outside brooder but not sure how big it needs to be for 10 pullets. I have plans for one that is 2x4 floor space but that does not seem sufficient, do I need to enlarge it? Any idea how much sf I need per pullet?
Also planning on two each waterers and feeders, the ones that hold quart jars. Will that be enough?
Any ideas or questions please give me a holler!
Is there a better spot in the forum for me to post my questions?

Thanks! Lu

 

[speckled6]

I have my first batch of chicks in my brooder right now. We have 30 and our brooder box is 4x7=28 sq ft, they are now almost 3 weeks old (that seems odd, feels like I've had them forever!).
I'm very new to this and don't know if this is the case in ever situation, but I'll say that our brooder is starting to feel a bit crowded.
Ideally I think for baby chicks, it's fine if there's not a ton of room as they tend to stay close together near the heat source (not in a tight circle under it, but nearby so they don't get chilled). However, as they grow they need more room and it's important to consider that where you put the waterers and feeders is then not useable space for your chicks.
If I could do it again, I'd plan for a brooder that is walled up to 24" (they've got their wings now and they USE them!) and at least 1 sq ft per chick after taking out the space required for feeders and waterers.
Having more room is always better than not enough when you consider how crazy fast they grow, IMO.
They are so fun and adorable and...honestly raising chicks has been to this point one of the most fascinating and wonderful adventures I've had in a long time and you will love having them in your life again!
We're super glad to have you here!!!

 

[Jiffyrocks]

Today we decided to make the switch from pine shavings in the coop to sand. It was a nice sunny day so the girls had to be in their run while we did the switch. First time in about 10 yrs we had to use snow shovels!!! Got a half ton of sand from a nursery. The sand came out of a construction company's dirt operation, direct from a "bank" on their property, all natural. Being able to remove the steps into the coop made things very easy and except for having to shovel the sand into buckets and then dumping in the coop, all went well. Hope the girls like it! We removed the poop boards temporarily as the chicks are just 5 weeks old and don''t seem to be using the roosts yet. When we sneak a look into the coop before letting them out in the am, about 6:30, they are either on/under the MHP or eating. As soon as their little door to the run is open they come flooding out in mass, very fun. They also put themselves back into the coop early evening which is thoughtful of them. This is even more fun than we thought it would be!!!

I just switched to sand as well. I'm finding it a breeze!!!

 

[Treerooted]

I have a few layers currently but will be picking up 10 chicks on May 12th (hatch date is the 11th). I haven't had babies for 30+ years so could sure use some advice. Way back in my chicken days I had stacked brooders and raised 100 chicks a year to butcher. Now just looking at a few layers. My current girls are laying great, first season for them. I will have the chicks in a big bathtub (indoors) for a few weeks, not sure how long and then put them in a larger brooder outside until they are big enough to go out with my current free-range hens.

Now my questions:
I'm going to build my outside brooder but not sure how big it needs to be for 10 pullets. I have plans for one that is 2x4 floor space but that does not seem sufficient, do I need to enlarge it? Any idea how much sf I need per pullet?
Also planning on two each waterers and feeders, the ones that hold quart jars. Will that be enough?
Any ideas or questions please give me a holler!
Is there a better spot in the forum for me to post my questions?

Thanks! Lu

Hey Lu!

You can certainly try making a new thread for your questions you have better luck with responces, probably in the "Coop & Run - Design, Construction, & Maintenance" would be appropriate.

Any idea how much sf I need per pullet? It depends on how long you will be keeping them in the brooder and the type of breed. 2x4 would only be sufficient for chicks (.5 sq ft), but before long you'll need more. Other more experienced members can give you better specifics I'm sure

Good luck!

 

[BohoAlly]

Welcome Newbies to this site. You'll never stop learning & laughing.

 

[lilmarie84]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal dried poop on the butts not pasty butts its just a little bit that is stuck to their down right under the butt

 

[Lamaremybabies]

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal dried poop on the butts not pasty butts its just a little bit that is stuck to their down right under the butt

Take a paper towel and put some warm water on it and dab at it until you can wipe most if not all of it away and then I trim the down a little under the vent and just keep an eye on them