What do I need for my new chicks?!

[flirty31]

My chicks will be arriving from the local feed store in two weeks. I already have an enclosure for them, but what else do I need?

-feeder
-waterer
-heat lamp
-starter feed

But where can I find these things? Can I find them used? Do you have any suggestions on products that are better quality than others?

I basically need someone to tell me what to buy!

 

[chickenarmy]

Yay for fuzzlies! You'll love your chicks I'm sure.
As for feed you get something like 20% at first then go down to 16% or something. I can't really remember, so wait for someone else to post about that.
Good Luck!!

 

[karlamaria]

You hit the nail on the head, you need all four things. Chick feed, a small waterer small feeder heat lamp . You can get all this at your local feed stor, farm and ranch store or even eBay! Read up on how to care for new chicks and that's it.

 

[justinschkz]

I used a one gallon waterer and two 24 inch plastic feeders for 25 baby chicks. they were not expensive. I get all my stuff from tractor supply company just because they have the best prices around here. and I used one heat lamp with a red bulb. the red bulb is suppose to keep them from pecking each other. just make sure to keep ur temperature rite you dont want them to get too hot or cold. and u prob gunna need some type of bedding i used old news paper in my brooder till they were old enough to go into the coop and run.

 

[ChickensRDinos]

Welcome to chickens! They are a lot of fun. Your list looks good.

I would also read about apple cider vinegar and diatomaceous earth for when your birds get older and move outside.

 

[flirty31]

Wow everyone is SO friendly!

We are getting 1 americauna, 1 barred rock and 1 rhode island red.

We have picked a few names: Gertrude and Margerie.

Do y'all have any specific product suggestions? I have looked online and on ebay and I am OVERWHELMED buy how many different kinds of heat lamps, feeders and waterers there are!

 

[Eggcessive]

Your feed store or Tractor Supply should carry the small plastic chick waterers and feeders--I would get at least 2 of each and a bottle washer. They get dirty every day and you'll need to wash them. Also they can overturn them and be without food or water all night or when you are at work, so I put 2 of each out. Get a high quality heat lamp with a porcelain insulator on it--only costs a couple dollars more and less of a fire hazard. Keep an assortment of lightbulbs--40, 60, 75, and 100 watt or at least 2 since you need a hot spot for chicks at 90 degrees, but need to decrease that weekly. In summertime you won't need a 250 watt red lamp unless you are brooding outside in a cold barn. Get a thermometer for the floor of your brooder. 20 % chicken feed in crumbles--a 50 lb bag is a good value unless you are just getting a few chicks. Make sure you have a secure way of hanging the heat lamp and can raise or lower it to change the temperature. Now go up to the top under Forum, drop down to Raising backyard chickens, then sideways to raising baby chicks, and read it all. Set up your brooder a couple of days before and make sure it all works. Good luck and have lots of fun.

 

[steelchair]

If you get a heat lamp try to get one that is ceramic not plastic. I would also get a thermometer. Get some vitamins and electrolytes for the water. I use a water soluble powder. I use newspaper the first couple days (not the shiny kind). Then switch to pine shavings. You could ask the store where you are getting the chicks from for help. I f they sell chicks, they should sell the other stuff also.