TOMORROW I get baby chicks!! Is my brooder ready? (with pics)

[Eri_Oak]

The babies are settling in nicely to their new home! They seemed ready for more activity already, so they now have a branch to hop on and a mirror to admire themselves in. They *hate* the fermented food, even with some warm scrambled egg on top. They love it dry so we're just going with that for the time being

The pup has stopped obsessing over them now that we put a baby gate between her and the chick room. Now she just guards the gate. All is well so far

Thanks, everyone, for the help and encouragement. I return the favor with a few photos!

 

[Araucana Nest]

Beautiful. I've looked at Alchemist Farms but they are all the way on the west coast and I'm in Florida. It's best to stay with breeders/hatcheries in one's own region. Those are wonderful breeding projects they are doing. Welsummer is one of my favorite breeds. They are fiesty and fun as chicks and very personable adults.

Since you already have your chicks, my advice will be late. One thing I noticed though, the brooder set up inside a crate will be a back breaker to keep clean.

Another piece of advice I wanted to offer - which may help someone else now- chicks that have been mailed arrive hungry and thirsty and stressed. They need immediate help finding the food and water and learning to eat and drink. Someone mentioned adding supplements into the water. That is great advice. It helps pick them up and give them energy.

Congratulations! They are beautiful. ♥

 

[Jeanw]

So awesome

 

[CHlCKEN]

The day is finally here that I get to go pick up my first little chickies! TOMORROW can't come soon enough!
The brooder seems so simple...and then I start getting nervous about a million little things

Are there any tweaks I should make before the babies go in it? There will be five of them - four various colored egg layers, and one Welsummer.

The outside is a 42x28 in wire dog kennel. Inside is a cardboard box that's just a little smaller than the kennel. I'm using the box so they can't get their little heads stuck while they're tiny, and also because I have a prey-driven dog and need to teach her that chicks are not toys I plan to remove the box as soon as it seems safe to do so, which will give them a little more room.

The floor is hemp bedding. I have a brick to raise the food up, and a branch for playing as soon as they're big enough - or should these just go in now? I have the heating plate a little lower in the back than in the front.

Feeding fermented food, if that matters for anything. Was thinking that I would just open up the little plastic feeder so it's more like a trough, if needed.
Am I ready??? Any changes I should make?? Give me all your brooder wisdom!

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hi! That setup looks great, but I have a few tips. First of all, that watered is going to be filled with shavings! In my first time keeping chicks, I had ducklings, who got water everywhere, including underneath the waterer. It was the kind that I did not have to pick up to refill, and when I went to clean it at the end of the week- MAGGOTS! Of course the littles where pleased but not me! I like the waterer u have though, it seems like it will work well, besides the shavings getting in it! I recommend putting them in a closed-door room, bc the stress of the dog can be harmful to them. Don’t hold them for 2-4 days after arriving, and when you do PLEASE hold them every day as often as you can, if u want semi-friendly birds! Friendly birds make everything easy. The different sizes in chicks is noticeable at first, and you might be scared that a large chick could hurt and small chick, but I think that as long as it’s not a bantam with a large breed, it should be fine

 

[LaFemmeKatia]

The babies are settling in nicely to their new home! They seemed ready for more activity already, so they now have a branch to hop on and a mirror to admire themselves in. They *hate* the fermented food, even with some warm scrambled egg on top. They love it dry so we're just going with that for the time being

The pup has stopped obsessing over them now that we put a baby gate between her and the chick room. Now she just guards the gate. All is well so far

Thanks, everyone, for the help and encouragement. I return the favor with a few photos!

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They are adorable! So is your dog!

 

[Eri_Oak]

Beautiful. I've looked at Alchemist Farms but they are all the way on the west coast and I'm in Florida. It's best to stay with breeders/hatcheries in one's own region.

Yes! Totally agree! We are so fortunate to be within driving distance of Alchemist. We were able to go pick up our little babies. It was also really important to us to be able to support a local farm, and one that focuses so strongly on sustainable practices - especially giving away all of their unsold male chicks to local families in need, instead of killing them.

Since you already have your chicks, my advice will be late. One thing I noticed though, the brooder set up inside a crate will be a back breaker to keep clean.

Ooooh...you are so right. Hoping to remove the box within another week or so