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Barnyard Buddies:  supplies needed before chicks arrive???/  |
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vermontharvest
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
doreen
w. pawlet
vermont
USA
24 Posts |
 Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 05:38:19 AM
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Hello everyone...I was wondering if someone could tell me...what exactly do I need to have for supplies...housing....and things ready to go before my chicks arrive. I've seen so many different things that I can't get it all straight....does anyone have any helpful suggestions? I would like to know....what are the absolute "MUST HAVE'S" .......by the way...I am planning on getting Buff Orpingtons...from what I have read, these are a great breed and will do well in the cold winter months.
Thank you all so much for your anticipated help.
doreen
www.vermontharvest.blogspot.com |
Edited by - vermontharvest on Jun 13 2007 04:19:07 AM |
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Runbikegrrl
True Blue Farmgirl
250 Posts
MaryAnn
Waterbury Ctr
VT
USA
250 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 06:11:29 AM
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Oooh chickies...how cute! When do they arrive Doreen?...how many are you starting with? Sorry I can't be of any help ...want some chickens myself but am now waiting to see if I will be moving this summer.
"So many interests so little time!"
http://lovelifelivegrrl.blogspot.com/ |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - Jun 08 2007 : 07:11:30 AM
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You will need a brooder. This can be home-made or purchased. It's basically a heat lamp in an enclosure. You will need to be able to adjust the height of the lamp so as the chicks grow you can raise it higher so it's less hot. You will also need a feed dish and waterer (don't just use a pan of water because they will defecate in it and make it unhealthy). And don't forget the chick feed! I would suggest picking up the Murray McMurray Hatchery catalog (or browsing their website) because it's very informative, and you can make a list of the items you will need.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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Bluewrenn
True Blue Farmgirl
1122 Posts
Erin
Texas
USA
1122 Posts |
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windypines
True Blue Farmgirl
4277 Posts
Michele
Bruce
Wisconsin
USA
4277 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 04:04:09 AM
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| I think the one most important item for me, has been a RED heat lamp bulb. When I was young, we raised chicks every year, and we always had a pecking problem, ending up with a few dead chicks. We always used red food coloring in the water, but it did not help. I have always had a red heat lamp bulb. I have not had any pecking going on at all. Also, if they are huddled under the bulb, in a big bunch, the bulb needs to be lower. If they are in a circle around the bulb, it could be raised up. You need to find that happy medium. Just by paying close attention, you should be just fine. Also I always dip their beaks in water, as I take them out of the box. To make sure they drink. Good luck Michele |
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vermontharvest
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
doreen
w. pawlet
vermont
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 04:05:54 AM
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Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the help and advice. I am hoping to get them delivered in July...McMurray hatchery has them available for delivery then. My husband still thinks we should wait until the new shed/small barn is done...we have an existing shed.....i would like to use that...but he wants to wait.....I WANT MY CHICKENS>>>>>>>>>
:)doreen
www.vermontharvest.blogspot.com |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jun 09 2007 : 5:29:21 PM
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Hi Doreen,
Happy to know you'll be enjoying your Buffs. I have 3 buff hens and they are sweet.
I have raised chicks twice (now I let our broodiest silkie to the job).
How many chicks will you be getting?
Each time, I had 12. First time we tried in the house. these were the silkie chicks...much smaller and required a bit more TLC. I had these set up in a large rubbermaid container. Sprinkle shavings on the bottom about 2 inches, then cover with lots of paper towell. If you layer these you can replace as they get soiled. Don't use newspaper as it is slippery and may cause the chicks to splay.
For a waterer I used a small one gallon. They make them smaller so you can attach a quart jar. Ask your local feed and seed. I use a chick feeder. Its round with holes. You can also attach a quart jar to this. It works like an automatic feeder- or just keep the base and forget the jar.
Some people recommend using electrolytes in the water for a few days. With my standard sized chicks, this wasn't necessary, and with my silkies, I goofed and they got too much....one essentially drank itself to death because the dilution was too strong.
Suspended from either side of the container, I rigged a red brooder light. Use a thermometer to gage tepms. For day old, start at 95 and decrease this by raising the light once a week. If chicks wil be outside and it's warmer where you are, you can fidge on this a little.
The second go 'round, I used a large wood crate that was 2'high and 4x4' all the way around. I attached a light to our smoke house rafter by using a rubber utility hook. The brooder cord could be wrapped around this and allow for temperature adjustment.
I also placed rat wire/hardware cloth over the top held in place with bricks on each corner. The bottom of the crate was also lined with shavings and paper towel
Once the chicks get the ides about eating their food and not pine shavings, you can remove the paper towels. (in about 2-3 days).
directions may also say to gently dip each chick's beak into the water when you get them home this is so they get a taste, rehyrdrate after a long trip and know where their water source is.
Hope this helps.
Good luck and have fun!
you can also subscribe to the poultry youth forum and ask all kinds of questions google search youth poultry forum and see what you get. It also has placed for general chatting and getting to know you kinds of fun stuff too. |
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MullersLaneFarm
True Blue Farmgirl
596 Posts
Rock Falls
IL
596 Posts |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Jun 10 2007 : 6:30:58 PM
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WOW, Mullerslane! that's right on! the pix show what I was trying to describe about the waterer and dunking on the first day
Kudos to you!
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vermontharvest
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
doreen
w. pawlet
vermont
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 03:29:29 AM
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WOW everyone...thanks so much...... I was thinking of starting with 6 chicks. I had read that if you get any less than that...they will not be able to keep themselves warm..but with 6...they can keep each other warm....not sure if that is the case or not. I am headed over to visit the Mullerslane page. Thanks again eveyone..you all are a fantastic help. Anna, thanks for the great explanation...i really appreciate it.
:) doreen
www.vermontharvest.blogspot.com |
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vermontharvest
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
doreen
w. pawlet
vermont
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 03:47:17 AM
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Cindi. Thank you so much for the Mullerlane site...it is fantastic...very, very helpful and informative...I will bookmark it and refer to it often. :)
Thanks again
doreen
www.vermontharvest.blogspot.com |
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LadyCrystal
True Blue Farmgirl
593 Posts
Alicia
Rhode Island
USA
593 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 04:21:33 AM
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I recommend sand to be used on the bottom of the brooder. I have heard so many stories from the older folk I know about the fire hazard of pine shaving with the heat lamp. My Uncle almost lost his barn to it.
Thanks,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
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kitchensqueen
True Blue Farmgirl
521 Posts
521 Posts |
Posted - Jun 12 2007 : 4:35:23 PM
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Doreen, keep in mind that if you are ordering from a mail order hatchery, the minimum order is usually 25 chicks, so if you want a smaller number you'll have to split the shipment with someone, or resell the others. They don't usually ship smaller orders because they need the body heat to keep themselves warm during transit.
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
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vermontharvest
Farmgirl in Training
24 Posts
doreen
w. pawlet
vermont
USA
24 Posts |
Posted - Jun 13 2007 : 04:17:04 AM
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Oh...okay...I will keep that in mind Amanda...Thanks....25 seems like a lot...but...i wouldn't mind that many..just not sure I will have room for them......How big of an area do you need for them when they are able to head out into a chicken coop?
:)...thanks again everyone
doreen
www.vermontharvest.blogspot.com |
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Barnyard Buddies: supplies needed before chicks arrive???/ |
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supplies needed before chicks arrive???/
