the a to z of chicks

[khaki Campbell]

Getting day old chicks in 6 days and really want to find out as much as possible before then! If you could all tell me how to look after them, how to get them to imprint, what their brooder should contain and look like and tell me about your chick experiences. Thanks in advance for all advise

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Oh I love talking about this sort of stuff!

Ok so the first day you shouldn't really bond with them; this time is needed getting used to their new home. Then you can start holding them, feeding them, calling them by name and just bonding. (See link attached.)

Put unpasteurized, organic apple cider vinegar in the water to boost their health, respiratory system, immunity and digestive system.

Hopefully you already have a heat system worked out. Start the temp out at 95 degrees F and decrease it by 5 degrees each week so by the time they are around a month, the heat can be removed. Put toys and boredom busters in the brooder to keep pecking at bay.(See other link attached.) Feed them a 20-18% chick starter feed. (See link attached.) If the chicks eat anything besides their feed, they need grit. You can start giving them fun little treats around a week or so.

I've always had fun raising chicks! But then there have been those challenges! Please feel free to ask any other questions. I would especially love to help!

Best wishes and god luck!







https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/how-to-socialize-baby-chickens
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...ks-the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens
http://www.fresh-eggs-daily.com/2014/04/8-brooder-box-boredom-busters-for-baby.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/feeding-at-different-ages
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/is-my-chicken-a-pullet-hen-or-a-cockerel-cock
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-brooder-designs-pictures

 

[Farmer Pete]

Everything that was said sounds good, for the bedding just try out different things and see what works best for you, personally I like to use Pine Shavings NOT cedar shavings (those are bad for chickens). The pine shavings are low matinence and help with the smell that accumulates if you forget to change your bedding more than once a day. Good Luck, but watch out for chicken math, it sneaks up quickly and does not go away. Have fun

 

[khaki Campbell]

Thank you mountain peeps that helped a lot have really enjoyed looking at all the links you sent me. Is there any way to get them to imprint. I just got 3 hens a week ago and obviously as they came from a farm they are not that friendly (but they are gettng better) so i really want friendly chicks that think im there mom as im not going to get a second chance. I cant have more than 7. That will b a real problem as i have a serious addiction now lol. I am getting 2 dominant sussex and 2 dominant blue chicks. Well thats wat the hatchery says. Any help will b great

 

[Mountain Peeps]

Thank you mountain peeps that helped a lot have really enjoyed looking at all the links you sent me. Is there any way to get them to imprint. I just got 3 hens a week ago and obviously as they came from a farm they are not that friendly (but they are gettng better) so i really want friendly chicks that think im there mom as im not going to get a second chance. I cant have more than 7. That will b a real problem as i have a serious addiction now lol. I am getting 2 dominant sussex and 2 dominant blue chicks. Well thats wat the hatchery says. Any help will b great

Glad I was helpful.

Chickens don't imprint the way say ducks and geese do but they still can be quite tame. What I have found works best is holding them and talking to them when they are very little. Once they are at that hyper age, I take them outside, call them by name and have them follow me. When they are tired they sleep in my lap. I teach them that only good things come from me. And then I continue to hold, read to, spend time with and bring treats to them.

 

[khaki Campbell]

Thank you so much