Tips and Tricks for those mailed in chicks

[Sally Sunshine]

Perfect, Sally Sunshine! The exact kind of starter info I was hoping to read! Thank you!

your very welcome I wish you the best of luck and cannot wait to see them! We are all here when you need us!

 

[gander007]

Always have the brooder preheated and feed and water in place

 

[Shido Burrito]

I also saw not to put the water too close to the brooder light. Thanks Gander!

 

[aknewlin]

We had a really good experience with our first six pullets. We got them at Rural King, and they grew like weeds. We read a couple of books, talked to neighbors, and read these forums.

The only thing I would warn about is reading about "HELP! MY CHICKEN HAS A DISEASE!" forums because every time one of my chicks even looked funny, I was worried it had one of the life-threatening, contagious, flock killing diseases. I lost count of how many symptoms resulted in the answer, "Your chicken is going to die." I learned to stay away from those forums.

Case in point: When one of my 6 week old Easter Eggers was very lethargic, laying down, and closing one eye, I went back to the "HELP!" forums and was convinced that I needed every antibiotic and wormer in the world and even called my vet to see of they would look at her. Luckily my neighbor talked to me and told me she was probably just overheated from the other pullets crowding her. He was right, and she only needed a few air-conditioned hours inside with pediolite to be perfect again.

 

[Shido Burrito]

Ha ha! I know what you mean! It's almost equivalent to typing medical conditions into Google. Your results from people's answers will range from dehydration to death.
I suppose that, from what I've gathered, it's best to be prepared for basic health issues (corn starch to staunch bleeding, Amprolium for coccidiosis, vitamins to perk them up in emergencies, DE for dust bathing) and do your best with prevention.

 

[aknewlin]

Yes, I learned the hard way to have everything on hand BEFORE anything happens.

My pets are like my kids, and only get sick from Friday night to Sunday, when the local feed store is closed and I can't get essential supplies.

We now keep good chicken basics like vet-wrap bandages, Pedialite, Neosporin (no pain relief), blu-kote, a dewormer, baby aspirin, mineral oil, vet spray (antibiotic spray)...stuff that one would need on a moments notice. We haven't had to use much, but it's been so handy to have it ready.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

Much like Ridgerunner, I brought dirt into the brooder within the first week. My reasoning was the same, I wished to introduce them to what they'd soon be finding in the run and coop so that they could build immunities.

I took some dirt from the run and let it dry out. I then put it in a baking dish and set it in the brooder. What I wasn't prepared for was the chicks reaction.



THEY LOVED IT! They pushed and shoved each other to gain access and took some of the most luxurious dirt baths you've ever seen! I'll have to admit it was cute beyond measure and more than a little ironic to see all these chicks piled up in a casserole dish.

 

[subhanalah]

Much like Ridgerunner, I brought dirt into the brooder within the first week. My reasoning was the same, I wished to introduce them to what they'd soon be finding in the run and coop so that they could build immunities. I took some dirt from the run and let it dry out. I then put it in a baking dish and set it in the brooder. What I wasn't prepared for was the chicks reaction. THEY LOVED IT! They pushed and shoved each other to gain access and took some of the most luxurious dirt baths you've ever seen! I'll have to admit it was cute beyond measure and more than a little ironic to see all these chicks piled up in a casserole dish.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I love that photo!

It reminds me of something else. When you get your chicks they will come close to giving you a heart attack the first time or two it happens. Sometimes when they sleep, they sprawl out like they are dead. Two of those look like they are in “the position”. Totally relaxed.

You’ve been warned.

 

[Mtn Laurel]

I love that photo!

It reminds me of something else. When you get your chicks they will come close to giving you a heart attack the first time or two it happens. Sometimes when they sleep, they sprawl out like they are dead. Two of those look like they are in “the position”. Totally relaxed.

You’ve been warned.

Excellent point! First time I saw "the position", I freaked out. Check out the black chick at the beginning of this video and you'll understand what we're talking about.