Week old baby chicks!

[mobius]

Hello all!

New member but long-time lurker, have wanted chickens for several years since I started organic garden and herb garden! And composting and and and....I knew that chickens were the missing link!

Chicks are a week old today, I think, and growing their wing feathers, even glimpsed tiny tail feathers yesterday. They are 3 Gold Laced Wyandottes and 3 Partridge Rocks, Which I think will make a VERY gorgeous flock. Besides it being that time of year to do this, I am recently retired so have time and energy for the many chores as well as the enjoyment. I am having a 4x5 coop built with a 9 foot walk-in run, which will be placed in a fenced yard.

Predator -proofing is on my mind at the moment, as well as leveling out yard for coop/run placement. The yard is glacial till so it is a bit hard to manage...

I love to research all things chicken and hope I am making good choices...and this forum has been an incredible help all along...so I figured it was time to introduce myself here. Happy to meet all of you and become a part of this incredible community!

I am currently setting up a larger brooder in an unused bathtub with glass encosure doors. I am thinking it is about time to move them in there, with light and larger feeder and an automatic cup waterer. They are currently in a rubbermaid tub, and I am concerned it is getting a bit confined....Any thoughts?

They are peeping away, and getting quite cuddly and unafraid. Yesterday I took them out and put them on a beach towel with me inside the bathroom. They all pooped immediately. On the towel. Then they wound up in my lap...this is TOO much fun. I take a picture a day...

 

[N F C]

That's a very nice intro, thank you for sharing a bit with us!

One thing you'll learn with poultry, they love space to move and hate feeling cramped. Go ahead and move them into a larger area, they'll be happier.

If you haven't already been to the Learning Center, check out some of the excellent articles there about all sorts of chicken topics.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/atype/1/Learning_Center

Thanks for joining us!

 

[mobius]

Hey there NorthFLchick!

How about that! I grew up in Gainesville! Lol.

Ya know, you were SO right about moving the chickies. They loved it, ran all over, started hopping and scratching (new behavior). Even at a week, this was a totally good thing to do!

I am going to start a new thread with more pics! Thanks for your help!!

 

[KeyFlock]

I'm glad you decided to join us!! Your chickies are adorable

 

[Wolfstorm82]

I've found that hardware cloth is the most recomended for coops. Chicken wire is good at keeping the chickens in but not so much at keeping predators out.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - glad that your chicks are enjoying their new quarters. If you check out the Learning Centre, you'll find a whole host of resources on all things chicken. Your state thread is worth joining as you will get to know other BYC members in your area (just type your state in the search box). In fact, the search box should become your best friend

Lastly but by no means least, the members here are amazing - very friendly and helpful, so if you need an answer to a question or simply want some reassurance that what you are doing is ok, then post away - we all help each other out here at BYC.

All the best
CT

 

[N F C]

Hey there NorthFLchick!

How about that! I grew up in Gainesville! Lol.

Ya know, you were SO right about moving the chickies. They loved it, ran all over, started hopping and scratching (new behavior). Even at a week, this was a totally good thing to do!

I am going to start a new thread with more pics! Thanks for your help!!

Good to hear the chicks approve of their new home. Thanks for sharing a picture!

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard chickens. Congratulations on your baby flock, they look in their new brooder.