The Chicks are coming on the 19th !!!! WAHOO! *QUESTIONS* 4th post

[chicken+quail=luv]

I've been absent for a while... finally back, since we're getting chicks in 18 days! (or possibly more)
I'm so excited for the little fluffballs, mostly because A) We haven't had chickens since our december, uh... fox. B ) We've only hatched once, and I love when they're just little chickies you can cuddle with and such.

Our other hatch, last year, we would let the chicks out and we would play with them and they would wriggle into our pant legs and sleep there. So adorable! C) We're trying out completely new breeds, which I am very excited about.
Breeds:

2 SLW
1 BO
1 RIR
1 Delaware
1 EE

Who wants to be, I guess, my waiting buddy? We're shipping from MyPetChicken.com and they seem very organized. Any thoughts on my breed selection? I hope all the chicks come healthy!

~ CQL

 

[BriteChicken]

Oh yay! waiting buddies! I get mine in a week though if they don't delay the shipment again Yesterday was a sad day

Good luck with the waiting!

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

Wahoo!

Hope they don't delay them again!

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

The chicks are coming in 6 days!!!!! I CAN'T WAITT! But I do have a few questions...

We've had chicks before, I just wanted to clarify things.

What bottom should we put at the bottom of the aquarium? Last time I remember just putting a paper towel on the bottom... but then again, I remember putting in the stuff you put in the bottom of easter baskets, only made out of paper...

Also, is just hard boiled egg, some small treats, and perhaps some grain (crushed up, of course) okay for the chicks to eat? I just want to be prepared.

Also, I remember having the chicks being loud last time we had them, which was about 2 years ago. Would I be constantly awoken at night by their peeping?

Thanks!

 

[acid_chipmunk]

Some people say to use paper towel for the first couple days to a week, but when I get my chicks from my feed store they are already on pine shavings, so I put them on pine shavings at home, too.

Chicks need chick starter, either medicated or non-medicated for food. Eggs, scrambled are OK for a treat, but not enough nutrition for them. Also, if you feed them anything other than the chick starter, you also need to give them chick grit so they can digest it.

My chicks peep a lot, but they are in our "shop" away from the main house so we don't hear them. I work mostly 3-11 and always check on them when I get home and even with the brooder lights on, they are always sleeping quietly.


Good luck with your new fuzzy butts!!!

 

[Want Less]

We use a large aquarium as a brooder too. We line the bottom with newspaper and then we've cut a strip of window screen (we have the soft plastic-y kind, not the metal kind) that fits the whole surface and sits on top of the newspaper for traction. It's super easy to clean too, just fill a bucket with plain hot water, toss the screen in (after you give it a good shake), let it soak while you clean out the newspaper and wipe down the tank (we use white vinegar & water mixed in a spray bottle). Then rinse the screen and put it all back in.

After a couple weeks we added shavings (which means you dont have to clean the tank out 2-3 times a day...), but if you do this just watch and make sure they aren't eating them.

 

[chicken+quail=luv]

Oh, goodie. Thanks all, for your advice!