WHAT DO I NEED?

[chickybaby1213]

My RIR chicks are coming in soon and I need to know what I need

It would also be apreciated if i could have suggestions to keep all 25 chicks happy and alive.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

The basics are a place to keep them, a way to prtovide warmth, feed and a feeder and a waterer. There are multiple ways to do each of those. Do you plan to brood them inside the house or out in your coop (do you have your coop built? )?

 

[Mattemma]

I have used baby playpens. Right now I am using a Marchioro cage for 3 chicks inside the house with a brooder lamp, and a 100 watt regular bulb. Outside in the garage I have a mama hen and 7 chicks in a dog crate with a dog kennel box attached. I have a broody in a playpen, and another broody in a dog box in a dog crate.

I use dog boxes or cat litter pans with lids for nesting boxes.

You will need medicated or unmediated chick feed. Feeders and waterers for chicks. A brooder lamp and heat bulb.I really like the red heat lights,but hate the 250 watt. Too nervous to use long.I use 100 watt regular bulbs. When feathered I use a black light at night, which is 40 or 60 watt.My indoor chicks get moved to garage at six to eight weeks. Moved into flock at night at 16 weeks.

Get a can of blue kote for wounds or exposed skin. I like the soft,dust free pine shavings sold at Walmart pet section for $2.78. The big bags are cheaper,but the shavings are not as nice.

Keep watch for pasty butts and be ready to clean the waterer often.Some use nipple waterers. Have fun!

 

[MamaHen1616]

MAKE SURE YOUR COOP IS BUILT BEFORE THEY COME.

 

[lazy gardener]

Read the basics in the learning center. My suggestion is that you use a heating pad cave for a heat source. And have some Poultry Nutri Drench on hand. Give that to them in their water the first week. You also might want to provide some sugar in their water, or some electrolytes the first day.

 

[NorthTexasWink]

Here is a lot of useful information in an easy to understand article.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/

That should get you started. Good luck and

 

[RUNuts]

Welcome!
It is an adventure, is it not? Our first chicks are 6 weeks now & a joy. Lots of good articles & pointers on here. Builds ones confidence to know what to expect.

 

[chickybaby1213]

Thanks for all the help my chicks have arrived and they are all healthy !!

 

[chickybaby1213]

 

[blackdog043]

How big is your brooder any pics? You want the water and feed on the opposite side of the heat lamp, so it doesn't heat the water. You also need a hot and cool side in your brooder. To much heat and no where to get away from it, will start killing your chicks. Is your heat lamp secured a couple different ways, to keep it from falling inside your brooder? They can and will start fires.