Tips for a soon-to-be chick mother!

[FaithM]

Hello all,

I am going to be getting 7 silkie chicks from the feed store on Friday. Yesterday, I got supplies for the brooding area: pine shavings, a feeder, a waterer, organic (non-medicated) chick feed, a heat lamp and a red 250 watt bulb, chick grit, probiotics, electrolytes, and a large plastic tub that I will use as the brooder. Is there anything else that I am missing?

If I have a 1 quart waterer, how much of the probiotics and the electrolytes should I use each day? Since there are only 3 packets, I can't imagine that I would use 1 packet a day..

The lady at the feed store said that we should hold the chicks as much as possible to socialize them, but wouldn't they get cold if we're holding them and they're not in the warm brooder?

Are there any tips or tricks that you wish you could've known during your first time raising chicks? I really don't want any to die or anything, so I want to try my best to do everything right! Thanks so much!

 

[brlracr624]

I'm with ya, we are getting our first chicks this week. I'm looking for all the advice I can get. Hoping to get a lot of responses

 

[jaimepowell]

Sounds like you are good to go with all the supplies! I can't help with the electrolytes as I've never used them in the past. I usually use paper towels for the first week or two--once you put the pine shavings down they usually get into the water and you have to clean the water out a lot more often. I have three kids who are constantly around our chicks. We've never had a problem with the chicks getting cold when holding them but I do always put a limit on the amount of time they are out of the brooder. Once they realize you are friendly they will cuddle up to you to keep warm if they are getting too cold! Good luck!!!!

The Chicken Chick also always has great advice -- here is her post on new chicks!
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2012/03/baby-chick-basics-what-you-need-to-know.html

 

[cafarmgirl]

A few suggestions: Make sure your brooder is big enough. Many people get plastic tub brooders and their chicks grow out of them and get overcrowded very fast. Aim for about a square foot per chick to start, they need more as they grow.

Keep Corid on hand when raising chicks. Coccidiosis is extrememly common, you want to be ready to treat if you see symptoms as it kills fast. However it is easily controlled with proper treatment.

How much of the probiotic's and/or electrolytes you use depends on the size of your waterer. I think those little packets usually make up a gallon. I don't generally add anything to my chicks water unless I have slow chicks that were stressed during shipping. Otherwise just clean water and chick starter.

Good luck and enjoy the new babies!

 

[FaithM]

Thanks guys!