The absolute necessaries for baby chicks?

[Reurra]

Those are great ideas! I like the butter tub for the feeder lol. Feeders at the local feed store are 25.99 and the smallest they carry was about 2 litre sized. Im only looking to get maybe 5 birds or so, not a huge flock.

When I mentioned $100, I was looking at those ones that are made from wood. I priced the materials yesterday at the hardware store and about fell over!

However, I like the plastic tub idea. I know where I can get one! I want to make sure though that I have all the facts before I make the try. Im getting in 5 older hens here soon and Ill have to make a "look but dont touch" pen for when the little ones are older, if I do get little ones lol. I might have to wait until late May to get my chicks though if I do. Its still cold here in Canada! I dont think they would be safe for outdoors until mid June!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Remember, that buying a chick, equipping the brooder, bedding and feeding the chicks for 4-5 months means you'll have a considerable sum in each bird before you get a return of eggs. This varies widely, but budget $12-16 per Point of Lay pullet.

 

[Reurra]

Thats one of the reasons I have the older hens. First off, was to make sure they were strong enough to live through a change. Ive heard of some people losing up to 80% of the first group of chicks, if not all. Im only looking to get 5, and I'd just fall apart if I lost all of them right away Second thing, the hens will hopefully begin to lay within a few weeks of moving in I hope. They are called "brown laying hens" I dont know what that means. But the gentleman I am getting them from says that they are 2 years old.

What should I look for when getting older birds? How will I know if they are past thier laying prime?

 

[Aves]

I have reared too many to count clutches of chicks and in my past life I reared many VERY tiny orphan wildlife.
I have NEVER used a heat lamp indoors for the young-makes me too nervous

My set- up is a follows:
an old aquarium
a heating pad placed under one end, underneath the aquarium, not in it
a 70 - 100 watt white bulb hanging/clamped over the same end
hardware cloth top

if the chicks are cold they will huddle, be noisy, stand, turn the heating pad to a higher setting,
if they are too hot they will spread far and wide and pant, turn the heating pad down
if they are Just right, they will lay next to each, quiet and sleeping, laying flat out, like they don't have a care in the world

good luck!
Aves

 

[Fred's Hens]

Thats one of the reasons I have the older hens. First off, was to make sure they were strong enough to live through a change. Ive heard of some people losing up to 80% of the first group of chicks, if not all. Im only looking to get 5, and I'd just fall apart if I lost all of them right away Second thing, the hens will hopefully begin to lay within a few weeks of moving in I hope. They are called "brown laying hens" I dont know what that means. But the gentleman I am getting them from says that they are 2 years old.

What should I look for when getting older birds? How will I know if they are past thier laying prime?

lIkely, they are a Bovan/Hubbard/ISA type commercial laying hen. Yes, two years is past their prime. However, with good feed and quality living conditions, you should expect another reasonably fair year of laying.

 

[BBAcres]

I have an old swimming pool for my brooder. It was just sitting in the barn. Wrapped some chicken wire around it that will be going outside for the coop. Threw in some wood chips and hung a heat lamp. Works perfect.

 

[Ourfamilyflock]

A lot of great suggestions you dont have to build the Hilton for these little girls. Keep them warm and dry, with clean water and plenty of food and thats about all you need to do.

 

[Domestic_goddess]

A lot of great suggestions you dont have to build the Hilton for these little girls. Keep them warm and dry, with clean water and plenty of food and thats about all you need to do.

I agree!