What do i need to raise baby chicks?!

[nagolfish]

I have 4 RIR chickens and i plan on adding 3 barred rock chickens to the bunch!
I bought my incubator yesterday and i want to know what i need to buy to be ready for the chicks!!

 

[salt and pepper]

you need to set up a brooder a day before they hatch. a brooder can be anything from a card board box, to a large aquarium. but pine shaving in the box to make it comfortable, and a heat lamp above. make sure the temperature is at 95, and the lamp is stable so it won't fall into the brooder!. every week lower the temperature 5 degrees. get the chick medicated chick feed, or starter. and make sure you have unlimited amounts of fresh food and water. I can't think of anything else. hope this helps!!

 

[Sweetly Silkies]

Shopping list:

• feeder (this is what it looks like, but i wouldnt recommend buying it online)

http://www.strombergschickens.com/product/Baby-Chick-Feeder-806/chick-feeders

• gallon waterer (i use little giant)
• shavings, they will be in big bags, used mainly for horses.
• a brooder

have any plastics tubs or boxes?

• red heat lamp. (if a chick gets bloody it prevents pecking)
• I used to use startena, from the purina brand, and thats what i would recommend. but now i use feed from a local place

thats just about everything, i think!

 

[gabrielle1976]

Feeder
Waterer
Chick starter
Heatlamp
Red bulb
Bedding
Marbles (for the water dish they can drown)
Something to contain everything (box, tub, ect)
If you have the money something like this could work
http://chickensforbackyards.com/Happy-Hen-Deluxe-Chick-Corral-17060.htm You can up it to a complete package for less then 60 bucks and that comes with everything you need includeing a stand for the light wichcanbe a pain in the arse to set up if you dont have a stand. It comes with free shippng and the delux package has everything a chick will need , and unlike some brooder packages the walls are reusable not cardboard. Just a thought.

 

[nagolfish]

thank you everyone!!!

 

[Sweetly Silkies]

thank you everyone!!!

your welcome, and have fun with those chicks!

 

[nagolfish]

One more thing!! What kind of bulb do i need?

 

[salt and pepper]

feed stores usually have specific bulbs for brooding chicks. they are 250 Watts, and made for heat. the red ones are better.

 

[nagolfish]

Ok!! thanks again

 

[salt and pepper]

have fun with your chicks!