Hello! I am just beginning my research into the backyard life of chickens. I actually will be spending this year learning about the hobby, building a coop, gathering equipment and preparing for my first eggs next spring. So much to learn - where to begin. I have found my knowledge base here at BYC!
Hello! I recently got chicks and they are 4 weeks old now The biggest problem I found with them was probably keeping their brooder clean. The chicken waterers they tell you to buy are a total disaster don't buy them!! After a few odd attempts, (rags underneath, a small box placed under it) nothing worked to keep the chicks from kicking up their feed and pellets into the water dish. Aka I was replacing their water every 30 minutes it seemed. I finally bought two $5 hamster water bottles at a small store in town. And they work AWESOME! I've zip tied small shot solo cups underneath to catch the slow drip. The chicks sometimes just drink out of the cups. Before you leave them with the new water bottles tap the ball and let them see water comes out. If you have more than 5 chicks I'd get 2 bottles. Ive heard that "pasty butt" is an important issue that is very common. I haven't experienced that with my 10 chicks but they've also been on Apple cider vinegar since they were a few days old. I add 2 tbs of it to their water, as well as a tsp of chick probiotic to their water. Also I add grinded up oats to their food! They love it! Good luck!! This site is wonderful for any chicken people!
The guy at our farming store told me in a very stern voice not to use that.. I don't understand why not? I am also new.. My chickens are 4 weeks and OMG.. they make a mess out of the water this guy told me to buy. I dig pine shavings out all day. It's getting to be ridiculous. Glad this idea worked for you..
If you haven't already done so, check out the Learning Center...it's really helpful on a lot of topics. It's nice to have all 3 of you here!
I keep my waterer up on boards, about 12x12. No shavings issue. Put the feeder into a cake pan to minimize food waste.
Hello, and welcome to the forum! I am so glad you decided to join us today, and I hope you will make yourself at home here and enjoy it as much as I have! ~Cuz
G’Day from down under Jlouns Welcome! As N F C mentioned, the Learning Centre has lots of good tips: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center and some great coop ideas here if you do not already have any: https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/2/Coops You might want to also pop in and say hello on your local thread: https://www.backyardchickens.com/f/26/where-am-i-where-are-you ‘Find your State’s thread. I hope you enjoy being a BYC member. There are lots of friendly and very helpful folks here so not only is it overflowing with useful information it is also a great place to make friends and have some fun. If you would like to share pictures and stories of your flock when they arrive, you have come to the right place. BYC’ers never tire of these and do not back away slowly or commence eye rolling when the photo album or home videos come out
Hello from Kansas and ! Great to have you in our community! Looks like you've received tons of great advice so I will just say best wishes and thanks for joining BYC!
If you can put the waterer up on a brick or something, so the chicks have to reach for it, it may keep it cleaner with no shaving kicked in. Just think though, ducks are much messier with water and more creative with covering everything with poo. You should be happy you just have chickens.
Farm store employees , IMO, want to make sales....$$$. They don't always know what works best. Nipple waterers are simple, easy, and cheap. You can purchase a pack of four nipples for a few dollars.... Screw the nipples into a used "soda" bottle.
