Teacher new to hatching, chicks due in a few days

[kupi99]

I am teacher and new to hatching. Our chicks our due in a few days. I am planning on giving the baby chicks back to the mom who gave us the eggs, but we're probably going to have the babies around for a couple of days. What do I need to get for them? I know I need a box and lamp, and water, and that they can drown themselves easily. I also need to know where one goes to buy feed. I live in large city, are there feed stores in large cities? And how do I find where one is? No chance Petsmart would have it, is there?

Can I just order food online, and have it get here in time? They are due on Tues and I know they don't have eat till Thurs (assuming they all hatch on Tues). I don't really want to spend alot of money or buy a lot on feed or a waterer as I'm really only going to have them a day or two before I give them away. So something homemade and easy perhaps?

Thanks!

 

[shaggy]

what city?


maybe look for a TSC, farmers mercantile, or you could probably google {your city, your state} feed store

and start calling the numbers that pop up on google maps to see if they have


or order from these guys
http://www.mypetchicken.com/Chicken-Supplies-Chick-Starter-Feed-P219.aspx

 

[kupi99]

I'll try that. What about a feeder? Do I have to get one of those for a couple days, or can I just put the feed in bowl / dish of some kind?

And a water? Is there something I can use besides the plastic waterer thingy to give them water in? If not I can get one off of backyard chickens, it wasn't too much.

 

[old mill poultry]

In a pinch you can just use some card board egg cartons and put the feed in that. If you have a small mason jar you can puncture some holes on the side of the lid, fill with water and place in a sauceror bowl . There is a post on here somewhere on how to make your own feeders. If you are going to keep them for just a few days, no sense spending money unless you plan on doing this again.
You will need some sort of a brooder. A quick and easy solution is buy a large rubbermaid storage container. Suspend your brooder lamp over the brooder use a rope or some chain. You want it low enough to heat the chicks but high enough to not cause any damage to the container. For feed go to tractor and supply or any place that sells feed.
Good luck with your chicks.