Old newbie chicken questions

[Deleted]

I want to get some chickens, a few layers and the rest to eat.  The trouble is that I haven't raised chickens in at least 45 years, I've forgotten a lot and I really don't have anyone to ask stupid questions.  I want Buff Orphingtons, that's what my grandparents had.  When I was very small, my parents had Rhode Island Reds and then later we had Leghorns that I absolutely hated. 

I have a chicken house that was on the place when I moved here and some nests.  I think there is a small feeder around somewhere.  I have talked to a guy that I know that owns a feed store.  He will order the chicks.  I know I will need something to keep them in for a while and I'm working on that. 

Now tell me what to do and what I will need to gather up before I order the chicks.

[Wendy]

You will need a heat lamp, feeder, & waterer. Keep them around 95 degrees the first week & then slowly decrease temp 5 degrees each week until they are at normal outside temps. If they are huddled under the light they are too cold. If they are walking abut eating & drinking, they are comfortable. That being said, I rarely keep mine that warm. A draft free place is most important. A huge cardboard box works great. Ask your local appliance dealers if they have any empty boxes. A big stock tank will work too. I have a room in the back of my barn used for chicks. Have some feed on hand for when they arrive. When you bring them home, dip their beak in water when you put them in the box.

[Deleted]

Wendy, thanks. I do have a huge cardboard box. I just knew it would come in handy for something. Heat lamps really scare me. Could you tell me what kind to buy.

[Wendy]

I just bought mine at Rural King. Make sure you secure them well. I have 3 on in the barn right now. THey scare me too, but just make sure you secure them well & check several times per day on them.

[puddlejumper007]

i read somewhere , do not use news paper down, as it makes their feet splay or something, i use pine bedding, do not use cedar it is bad for the respiatory system. also i use a childs swimming pool works great for a small amount of chicks

[bergere]

I decided to get one of these... however, so far, you really do need it some place where the temps are steady.   I like that it is a lot more safe than heat lamps and only uses 18 watts if I remember
correctly.

Though I do wish I bought the larger one. 







If I can get two pennies to rub together.... think I am going to get this set up later.  Specially if I keep hatching chicks.


www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=131924&cat_id=173

and

www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=83120&cat_id=173

Can never be too safe with heat lamps!

[Bear Foot Farm]

A normal 100 watt incandescent bulb will do the job, so don't waste money on a big "heat lamp"

Just make sure the brooder is large enough they can move away from the light if they get too warm

[bergere]

I tried the lower wattage bulbs... when I was raising the chicks in rabbit hutches and the garage, wasn't warm enough for the time of year I was doing it.
Of course, NW WA and OR, don't really get that warm.

Here... June/July/Aug.... so hot, you don't need any heat lambs if they are being raised out.

[Bear Foot Farm]

I tried the lower wattage bulbs... when I was raising the chicks in rabbit hutches and the garage, wasn't warm enough for the time of year I was doing it.

When I do mine in the hutches in cold weather, I line the 3 walls and half the bottom with cardboard to block drafts and retain more heat

I also sometimes use a brooder box that is about 3' X 3' X 16" deep with 1/2" hardware cloth on the bottom.

I set it on sawhorses in the corner of the coop and have the capacity to use two lights.

I like two lights most of the time anyway in case one burns out, but my rabbit cages aren't really big enough for two unless it's really cold

[bergere]

I use ply wood when I do the hutches to block wind. On the floor, sides, any where there is wire. In my case anyway, as they get bigger they learn to pick at card board.
Still needed the heat lamps.

[Deleted]

Baby chickens arrived today, 15 Buff Orphingtons. Right now they are in the cardboard box they rode home from the store in. I've given them feed and water and dipped their beaks in the water. It's 73 in the house and 67 outside. I'm planning on putting them in an enclosed building for a few days in a large cardboard box so I can rig up a light.

Dumb question #1: Do I have feed available to them all the time? (Yes I know they need water all the time)

Dumb question #2: What kind of litter should I have in the box? I was going to put newspaper under them when I put them in their new box for a day or two.

[shellymay]

Yes feed available all the time, and I would use hay or straw or pine bedding under them, good luck with them

[Deleted]

I have some straw, so that is good.

[Deleted]

One of the new chicks seems very weak and listless. What can I do for it?

[bergere]

Did you dip their beaks in water before you let them run?

I some times hold the weak ones in my hand until they perk up. Could be it got too cold. At this stage they need the temps to be 95*, and the ability and space to move away if they get
to warm.

I normally add a couple of teaspoons of simple syrup per cup of water, to give them a pick me up when they get
home. works really well to help them adjust from the transport.

[Deleted]

Yes, I dipped their beaks in water and feed. I went to town for about an hour after I moved them to a bigger box and when I came home it was dead.

[bergere]

Sorry to hear that... sadly, some times they just don't make it.

I had to put one of the d'Anvers down, because it developed scissor bill and another one, that was a runt and wasn't growing, no matter what, just died.

[Deleted]

So far the rest of the chicks are OK.

[adirondackgal]

We will be getting our first chicks this Friday. They are a month old. They will be in the house until the coop is built, which will be soon. Any suggestions for a newbie?

[Deleted]

Chicks were OK when I checked on them about 9a.m. yesterday. At 1 I found one dead, cold and stiff. Around 5 I counted as they were spread out drinking, eating and just hanging out and 2 are missing, just completely gone. I found an old storm window screen and put it over the box and put a plastic lid over the part the screen didn't cover. I'm on my way to check on them now.

Adironackgal, how many are you getting? As you can see, I'm not having good luck with mine and they are only a week old, so maybe someone else here can give you advise.

[shellymay]

Get the coop built fast,...... at a month old they poop alot

Coop building so many idea's out there for this, what is important to me is a full size walk in door for
humans with no ducking and hitting your head , chickens just need a small door low on coop and
most people use hinge and hook to leave open or keep closed, water tight and critter tight as it always
seems like a skunk/coon/opossum finds its way in when you leave cracks.....I like using the small square
heavy wire on the top run of coop for natural day light to come in instead of relying on a coop light,also
 this is great for allowing fresh air in,you will want to leave the last top metal sheet off or board off and
 put the wire instead, I would only do this on one of the longest side of coop that does not face the
normal rain and snow direction, and let your eves hang over far enough to help keep rain out, on my two
ENDS we used the clear panels again for natural light......

Roost post, allow 12" of space per bird, so 10 chickens you will need 120" of roost space, now this can be
tiered to make the 120"....Nest boxes are important if you are doing egg laying chickens and oh so many
ideas out there for nect boxes

[adirondackgal]

We are getting 7 chicks.