Topic of the Week - Raising Chicks

[mustangrooster]

hi everyone! I am going to get chicks soon and I was wondering if I can put a small blanket or something for it to nest in. I want to make sure it wont choke or anything thnx!

Hi there, it depends on the amount of chicks you have. I saw an earlier post of yours and you said you were getting 3-4 chicks? Well if so, first off make sure you have a heat lamp. The Blanket can not be a heat source.

Are you talking about putting a blanket for bedding? I wouldn’t recommend that. But if you mean for a little nest, why not!

You can put a little blanket in there for them to snuggle with, or make a blanket hut that they can go under.

Or a plush toy that they can go under. I know when I have a small ‘batch’ of chicks they adore that.

Good luck!

 

[lazy gardener]

It's all too easy for chicks to get caught up in threads, or try to eat the fuzz on a piece of cloth. I'd think long and hard before putting any unnecessary items in the brooder. Chicks pop out of the egg looking for new and novel ways to kill themselves. Scrutinize your brooder very carefully, and ask yourself what is in there that the chicks can find to get caught in, trapped in, wound up in, tip over on themselves, drown in... and the list goes on.

 

[oEch0o]

My parents are letting me start to sell chicks and the method I have may not be the absolute best but I raise them outside and I keep them in their coop for two weeks before introducing them to the outside world which is attached to their coop. The coop would be small for a grown flock but for young chickens it's great. The heat lamps on one side, it has a higher perch and a lower perch but but are fairly close to the ground, the side without the heat lamp is obviously cooler but warmer than behind the heat lamp. I keep food and water on the warm side with the water elevated

The run has a ramp to the coop which isn't high off the ground and there's a perch outside to jump on too, it's grassy not filled with dirt but I put a small pile in a tray in the corner for them to play in when they want a dirt bath. I have a few objects for them to play on outside as well and since they'll be joining my other flock, once they're off the heat lamp they'll be moved over beside the flock they're going in with

Some people say it's not good to give chicks treats but I still do in regulation of course. I figured if the mom would give it to them, then what does me giving them something every now and again hurt. They pick up on it being good stuff quick. They love grapes and meal worms, live or dead. Again I monitor how much they have. Otherwise that... wouldn't be too great an outcome

If anyone has an tips for me as well I'd love some! I may have been doing this for years but you always learn something new

 

[mikka]

Thank you so much! No, I am using paper towels for the first 3-5 days and then switching to pine shavings. I have a brooder lamp and wanted them to have something to cuddle in or with! Thanks so much for the help!

 

[mustangrooster]

Thank you so much! No, I am using paper towels for the first 3-5 days and then switching to pine shavings. I have a brooder lamp and wanted them to have something to cuddle in or with! Thanks so much for the help!

No Problem! Im always happy to help

 

[mustangrooster]

It's all too easy for chicks to get caught up in threads, or try to eat the fuzz on a piece of cloth. I'd think long and hard before putting any unnecessary items in the brooder. Chicks pop out of the egg looking for new and novel ways to kill themselves. Scrutinize your brooder very carefully, and ask yourself what is in there that the chicks can find to get caught in, trapped in, wound up in, tip over on themselves, drown in... and the list goes on.

Very true. I dont use cloths for that very reason...I also find that my chicks like getting wedged in between the feeder and the brooder...very tightly. You always have to watch carefully...

 

[swchic157]

This is so useful-I just got five new baby chicks today and this describes their behavior perfectly. I have adjusted their heat lamp and they are all now sleeping close together but not on top of one another.
They are all banded on one wing as pullets-how do you take the banding off? I do not want to damage their banded wing taking the band off but it looks like the bands are bothering them. It looks like the band would constrict the growth of the wing on the banded side. I am thinking some needle nose pliers and a lot of patience will do it. Anyone with banding removal experience out there?

They fouled their water several times earlier today but since I moved them to a larger box they have not fouled it and I have seen at least three of them drinking. When you say raised the water on a brick do you mean you elevated the water dispenser a few inches by placing a brick underneath it?

The chicks seem to wake up every few minutes, chirp, and feed then go back to sleep. I think they have had a rough day.

 

[oEch0o]

Yes you raise the water a few inches on a brick. Just make sure they can still reach it

 

[azygous]

Here's how to hang a chick water bottle. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/957712/how-to-hang-a-chick-water-bottle Hanging bottles are practically impossible for the chicks to create spills and kick shavings into their water.

 

[lazy gardener]

Here's how to hang a chick water bottle. https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/957712/how-to-hang-a-chick-water-bottle Hanging bottles are practically impossible for the chicks to create spills and kick shavings into their water.

I did something similar. Made a macrame hanger. Found some heavy metal rings that fit nicely over the mouth of the 1 qt. mason jar (you could make your own wire ring) and then used string or florist wire to fashion a knotted sling for the bottle to hang from.