- Apr 10, 2013
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Yep. I think I know enough to make my own chick guide! However, I don't know everything, so any tips, treat recipes, corrections, and extra info, will be gladly received!!
Frequently asked questions:
When can I put my Chicks Outside?
You can put your chicks outside when they are fully feathered and have grown a bit. However, supply a heat lamp if the temperature goes down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
How big should my brooder be?
Your brooder should be fairly big in the beginning, but not too big because you will need to heat your brooder. I suggest a large dog crate. It can house 6 chicks easily until about they are 1 month to a 1/2 month old. A kiddie pool surrounded by chicken wire will also do the trick.
How big should the coop be?
I believe it is two sq. feet per chicken.
When can I feed them treats?
I suggest feeding them mashed hard boiled egg when they are a couple days old. At two weeks of age, give them grit and grass, fruit, and worms. Remember, most treats require grit.
My Chicks don't like me! How do I socialize them?
Simple! In a word, bribery. Treats work really well. They will come running to you expecting meal worms, fruit, and other goodies! Or, try using the hand methods:
Mama bird:
Wear a old shirt that is a bit baggy. Cup you hand with the chick inside and put a fold of your shirt on top of it. Eventually they will snuggle down and fall asleep. Make sure to have small air holes!!!
The Egg:
Cup your hands (one on top, the other on the bottom) around the chick, and relax. If they struggle, keep your hands together, but don't squeeze. Eventually they will calm down.
My chicks are pecking eachother! What do I do?
Usually they are establishing a pecking order. Just make sure that no one is getting the brunt of the attacks.
How can I tell my chicks apart?
Not all chicks are the same looking! We have two silver laced wynadotte chicks and one has spots on her face in random areas while the other's spots make a stripe like an indian. Simply examine the slight differences in your chicks.
My Chicks have pasty bottom! What do I do? What causes this??
Simply get a warm damp cottom ball and pick it off. Make sure you don't rip out any chick fluff! This is caused by stress, and I belive when they start eating, their poops get less watery, and more solid, eliminating pasty bottom. It never happens again at two weeks of age I belive.
Any other questions? Post! Recipies? Post! Comments? Post! Tips? Goose! uh, I mean Post!!
~Treat recipes~
HARD BOILED EGG
One of a chicks favorite treats is a hard boiled egg that has been
mashed up. It is not cannibalism if the egg is not fertilized.
Preparation:
Boil egg for ten minutes in boiling water. Chop or mash into tiny pieces.
Serve two small pinches at a time.
(1/2 of an egg feeds 10 chicks)
HARD BOILED EGG
One of a chicks favorite treats is a hard boiled egg that has been
mashed up. It is not cannibalism if the egg is not fertilized.
Preparation:
Boil egg for ten minutes in boiling water. Chop or mash into tiny pieces.
Serve two small pinches at a time.
(1/2 of an egg feeds 10 chicks)
Frequently asked questions:
When can I put my Chicks Outside?
You can put your chicks outside when they are fully feathered and have grown a bit. However, supply a heat lamp if the temperature goes down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
How big should my brooder be?
Your brooder should be fairly big in the beginning, but not too big because you will need to heat your brooder. I suggest a large dog crate. It can house 6 chicks easily until about they are 1 month to a 1/2 month old. A kiddie pool surrounded by chicken wire will also do the trick.
How big should the coop be?
I believe it is two sq. feet per chicken.
When can I feed them treats?
I suggest feeding them mashed hard boiled egg when they are a couple days old. At two weeks of age, give them grit and grass, fruit, and worms. Remember, most treats require grit.
My Chicks don't like me! How do I socialize them?
Simple! In a word, bribery. Treats work really well. They will come running to you expecting meal worms, fruit, and other goodies! Or, try using the hand methods:
Mama bird:
Wear a old shirt that is a bit baggy. Cup you hand with the chick inside and put a fold of your shirt on top of it. Eventually they will snuggle down and fall asleep. Make sure to have small air holes!!!
The Egg:
Cup your hands (one on top, the other on the bottom) around the chick, and relax. If they struggle, keep your hands together, but don't squeeze. Eventually they will calm down.
My chicks are pecking eachother! What do I do?
Usually they are establishing a pecking order. Just make sure that no one is getting the brunt of the attacks.
How can I tell my chicks apart?
Not all chicks are the same looking! We have two silver laced wynadotte chicks and one has spots on her face in random areas while the other's spots make a stripe like an indian. Simply examine the slight differences in your chicks.
My Chicks have pasty bottom! What do I do? What causes this??
Simply get a warm damp cottom ball and pick it off. Make sure you don't rip out any chick fluff! This is caused by stress, and I belive when they start eating, their poops get less watery, and more solid, eliminating pasty bottom. It never happens again at two weeks of age I belive.
Any other questions? Post! Recipies? Post! Comments? Post! Tips? Goose! uh, I mean Post!!
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