- Home -

- Forum -

Getting Started with Chicks

continued from page 1

by Jan Hoadley   

Now you have all your supplies, you've decided which chicks you want, you've ordered your chicks, waited anxiously and finally...  they're here!  

The morning of arrival you should fill waterers and feeders, and turn the light on.  Ideally, you'll start out placing the light in a large box or other means of containing heat.  New chicks must be kept at 90 degrees for the first week.  If they get too cold they can pile on each other and kill each other.  Often the one killed is the strongest...as they get under the pile to stay warm then are smothered.  Later, you can reduce the heat by 5 degrees per week.  Once the chicks have feathered out, they become very hardy.  You'll need to keep them from getting wet in spring storms, and protect them from cats, dogs and other animals that would consider chick nuggets a good snack. 

When your chicks arrive...take each chick individually and dip its beak in the water.  This immediately gets each chick drinking.  When you dip the beak they should then throw their head back and open and close their mouth quickly...as soon as they do this let them go.  Most will then go back and drink more!   The first day sprinkle starter feed on the floor as well as offer it in troughs.  This makes it very easy for the chicks to find food.  The faster they get eating and drinking the better.  Most chicks, once they had a drink, will automatically start looking for food so have it already there for them.  You may waste a little putting it on the brooder floor, but it's very important in seeing that they get a good start.  Again (and this can't be stressed enough!) never let your chicks run out of feed or  water.  Most chick loss happens when they don't get a good start eating and drinking.  

Also, leave plenty of space...chicks are cannibalistic.  They will turn on weaker members if they are too crowded.  Larger breed chicks will need a good quality high protein starter.  Be prepared to part with $8-10 for a 50-pound bag.  If there are a few chicks not getting to the feed, separate them out in a smaller group so there is less competition for food/water.  A kiddy wading pool or stock tank makes a good brooder...just be SURE it doesn't get water collecting in it.  A storm or unseen leak overhead can drown your chicks.  If the chicks start laying too closely together, or on top of one another, they are too cold.  If they stay far apart they could be too warm.  Observe your chicks daily; spend 5-10 minutes minimum after feeding and watering just watching them.  Note which ones are bossy and which are the lower ranking ones and how they are all eating?  Do they appear comfortable?  The first few days chicks are apt to get under the heat bulb and sprawl out sleeping. 

Make certain that  the heat bulb is hung securely.  Especially don't let it fall and touch anything, as this can be a fire source, especially with in conjunction with bedding materials.  If the room is open and not heated, it might be better to use a regular heat lamp rather than a light bulb.  The important thing is to keep a circle of appropriate heat for the amount of chicks you have. 

There are many sources for birds and equipment.  A check at your local farm supply store such as Farm & Fleet or Big R will be the best place to get equipment as well as starter feed.  A good feed salesman familiar with your area is a valuable asset. 

Online there are many sources for birds.  A few of these are:

http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com

http://www.cacklehatchery.com

http://www.strombergschickens.com

I have personally ordered from the first two, and I highly recommend them for beginner birds. 

For additional information in much more detail there are several free email lists at www.yahoogroups.com  - among them:

countryside-elist

rarelivestock

Homestead_poultry

There are experienced people on all these lists who can help you with questions and any problems that come up.   I moderate the first two. 

Raising poultry is a great way to put food on the table.  It takes minutes per day and not a lot of expense.  Once grown, chickens love goodies like garden scraps and kitchen waste.  Most of all, you'll find that  store eggs don't begin to compare with eggs from your own hens. 

Previous    1  2   Home

Was this article helpful to you?   Did you love it?   Hate it?   Give us some feedback.