What have I done?

[epona4]

We got a phone call from our neighbor saying that she had 7 six day old chicks and wanted to know if we wanted them.

Why not?? It can't be too hard, right? ...sigh...

I was preparing for chicks in the spring, not now! We have everything that we need. Just didn't have time to prep for it mentally.

Well, at least by spring they will be ready to live with the big kids! And with any luck I'll have a separate coop built for them in the barn. That way, in about 10 weeks or so I can put them out there! (10 weeks with 7 chickens in the house??)

Hmmmmm...

Here's a pick of the little darlings. I believe she told me they are some sort of leghorn cross. They are from a local elementary school's science class.

BTW, I took them off the newspaper and put paper towel down. How old should they be before putting pine shavings down?

 

[Buff Hooligans]

Oh what a bunch of little cuties. Sometimes the best things in life are ones that fall in your lap.

 

[chickenma]

they are very cute.
I have some in my house too.
I always use papertowels the first couple weeks.
Maybe some one can help you with the shavings question.
Goodluck

 

[Fudgie]

Mine are on shavings from day one. I put down a shelf liner for like 3 days then they are on their own. They do fine!

 

[Marlinchaser]

They are old enough now for pine shavings, if they know where thier food is put them on pine. My new hatched ones start out on pine with mom around to teach them what to eat, and not eat. The reason for them starting on paper towels is so they will learn what food is before they are given the CHOICE of eating(and bloating) pine shavings.

They dont need to be in the house for anytime, they can start out in the barn, as long as they are kept warm enough, and in a draftfree area they will be fine outside.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
I think there are laws against phone calls like that. (or at least there should be)

 

[epona4]

Quote:
You mean the calls saying "I know you're a sucker and can't say no. I've got some chickens" or "I found a stray, do you want it?"

This neighbor is my kiddos' bus driver and knows we've started getting involved in chickens. I was actually tickled that she thought of us.

I just wasn't expecting to more than double my flock so soon!

I am also thinking that my husband isn't going to let me go to the show in Connersville to pick up some older pullets to add to the 3 we have now. Maybe I'll go anyway, just to see what they have.

 

[snowydiamonds]

Just so you don't panic about chicks in the house, I've got the four wonderful Silkies and 5 EE chicks inside plus a GLW hen who was wheezing Hen's doing better, gave her ACV H2O and bread bits soaked in oil along w/yogurt. Getting ready to separate the EE chicks from the Silkies as those Ee's like to run, jump and hop onto the backs of my Silkies (from Tori). I'm using steel, collapsible dog crates and cardboard around the bottom walls to keep the shavings inside instead of all over the house I love to listen to their chirps, peeps and feel sad when its time to put them out in the coop but then you see how happy they are to have all that room and "just be chickens" and you won't be sad anymore! I'm wondering if I can just keep the Silkies inside all winter, there are only four...let them play out summers and be inside pets winters! I keep cat airline crates on hand for any adult birds or hens w/new hatched chicks for inside, pm hand.

 

[jossanne]

LOL I have 24 almost 6-week chicks an arm's length from me as I sit at the puter... and a 20-week polish with her head picked running around in here loose. My poor hubby is going batty! He'll probably die if they're in here for 10 weeks...

He'd better HURRY and get a new coop built for these kids.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Now that is funny, last time I went to a show just to LOOK, I came home with 4.