Chicks

Once we had our chicken coop in place we were ready for our poultry.  I did all the research I could.  I read Back Yard Poultry magazine and Storey’s Guide to Raising Chickens.  I studied several web sites; my favorite is www.welphatchery.com I learned that when ordering chicks you can order a mixed batch or pullets (females only).  I am still amazed that they can tell the gender when the bird is only hours to a day old.

I had our “nursery” all prepared and ready to go.  I used the bottom half our travel dog crate, as we have giant breed dogs this worked well.  A large cardboard box or large metal feed trough works well too.  Be sure to allow enough room for the chicks to be able to warm themselves under the heat lamp or move to the other end of the box to cool themselves.   The sides should be tall enough to keep out drafts and a covering is necessary if unwanted creatures can get in. Make sure there is enough ventilation to maintain heat and air circulation.

I placed a thin layer of shavings in the crate; I also had a small feeder and waterer in place.  The husband contributed some scraps of wood, roughly 2 x 2 x 16 inches for the babies to perch upon. I set these on the floor of the crate.  I used a clip on heat lamp with an approximate wattage of 175.  I would need to watch the chicks closely to make sure it did not get to hot.  If the chicks were panting or not under the lamp I raised it up.  If they were huddling very closely in the center of the light, I lowered it.

For feeding the chicks, I used a commercially prepared feed, recommended by the agri- center.  I added a nutritional supplement to their water for about three weeks as our chicks were shipped to us.  This past summer I let one of our broodier girls hatch two eggs.  For these chicks I used the supplement for only about a week as they did not have the stress of transportation.

We ordered our first batch through Nelson’s Agri Center.  The chicks came in a cardboard box with little holes for air.  I could barely see the small fluffy puffs yellow. I could hear them cheeping loud and demanding!  I had to be ready to pick them up as soon as possible after they arrived in the store. Chicks can go without water for only about 48 hours after they are hatched.   When I arrived home I individually remove them from their box and dipped their beaks into the water and made sure they swallowed the water.  I kept the waterer close to the heat as some chicks are very curious and active and others are calm and don’t wander.  Access to water is very important. 

I found that like all creatures, chicks have individual personalities.   I could spend long periods of time just watching the chicks interact with each other and their new environment.  It was amusing to watch them learn to scratch the shavings and navigate the depth of water with their beaks.  Balancing on the perch while falling asleep does not come naturally to all chicks.

The babies remained in the crate for about 3 weeks.  When their feathers began to come in I knew they could regulate their body temperature and fend for themselves a little better.  Chicks are cute… chicks loosing their baby feathers are awkward looking and I dubbed this stage “teenage hood”.   During the teenage period I moved them to the coop but left them inside for about a week to 10 days.  My understanding is that this time helps them adjust and identify the coop as their home…the place they roost at night. 

I am pleased to say that with a reputable provider, help from different sources, patience and good observations skills I have been able to raise all of our chicks to adulthood. Chickens are a wonderful asset to a farm.  They eat unwanted insects and many table scraps.  They provide nitrogen rich waste for the garden.  Of course the eggs and meat are the best I have ever tasted. I can’t imagine our farm without chickens.

Pictures courtesy of the internet.