| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  Chicken Question?  |
|
|
Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 05:36:08 AM
|
My new baby chicks came in the mail Monday. My sister is keeping them for 3 weeks under a light for me. She said I could come over and pick them up in 3 weeks. Now can I put them straight out in their chicken coop or do I need to keep them in doors with me a little longer? How fast do chickens grow and when will they start producing eggs? Okay that is 3 questions. Anyways I need all the help I can get with my chicken adventure!!
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
|
|
sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 23 2011 : 07:32:54 AM
|
good morning, usually i keep my chicks contained in a small safe warm area till they get most of their feathers. they need heat till they have their feathers. chicks grow fairly fast. they are so fun. congratulations on your babies. how many did you get? my chickens started laying right off at 5 months. for mt girls when they are about 6 weeks i start giving them red worms and small snacks of food. can you post pics? what kind did you buy? yipee for you. i remember how excited i was to get my chicks in. happy days for you sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
|
 |
|
|
Dorinda
True Blue Farmgirl
1023 Posts
Dorinda
St. Cloud
Florida
USA
1023 Posts |
Posted - Mar 24 2011 : 1:29:25 PM
|
Hi Sherry, Well I wanted only about 8 to start with but am ending up with 12. My sister ordered them on line so I am not sure what kind they are. She said they will lay brown eggs if that is a help. My sister wanted some chickens also. She said it was cheaper if we ordered them together.
I am very excited about this. I can't wait to get some fresh eggs. I had been buying my eggs from an old man but he passed away. Could not find any one else selling fresh eggs so I decided to do my own. They are still over at my sisters house and I have been babysitting my grand son so I will go over in a couple of days and take some pictures. I hope this new adventure works out great for me. I am still working on my chicken coop!
Seize The Day!
Dorinda |
|
|
|
batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 1:00:26 PM
|
Oh Dorinda I am so excited for you!!! I have been raising chickens & I adore them...never thought I could get attached to them but I have. Since your babies don't have momma's to keep them safe its a good idea to keep them under a lamp for 3-6 weeks until they get their real feathers.....They need those real feathers to stay warm & to protect their bodies from injures....I have 2 new babies now & they are about 3 weeks old my yellow & brown one is getting feathers but the other hasn't yet even though they were born on the same day....but they have momma hen so they are out in the coop with all the big hens. If they were by themselves I would keep them in the house but on really nice day take them outside in a cage to enjoy the sun & play in the grass & dirt.....Some people don't do this but I start my babies at about 3 weeks on sand (ie grit) a pinch or 2 in their feed to help get their gizzard strong & get them ready for eating grass ect outside. I use store bought playbox sand as it is cleaner & doesn't have gravel ect in it. Now I do this for the motherless ones not the babies raised by a momma. Everyone has their own way of doing things when it comes to chickens...best thing for you is to read everything you can get your hands on...that way you see all sides of chicken raising....good luck & enjoy them....Michele'
Chickens rule!
The Old Batz Farm
Hen #2622 |
|
|
|
msdoolittle
True Blue Farmgirl
1149 Posts
Amanda
East Texas
USA
1149 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 1:52:36 PM
|
I don't let out my babies until they're fully feathered. We're probably talking about 3-4 months that I keep them separated from my main flock. I don't know what your coop looks like, but when your girls 'feather out', they should be just fine outdoors as long as they have a good, solid enclosure (coop). Since you're in FL, you shouldn't have a problem with them getting cold, lol! Mine take anywhere from 5-8 months to lay, depending on the breed and time of year. When days are short in fall and winter, egg laying will either slack off or quit for a while, but when days begin to lengthen after the winter solstice (December 21st), egg production will begin again/resume normally.
I would just be SURE that my coop and fence is snake/predator-proofed. Chicken wire ain't gonna do it. I use 1/4" wire (hardware cloth) over almost everything to prevent snakes and critters from entering.
FarmGirl #1390
www.mylittlecountry.wordpress.com |
|
|
|
chickenladycris
True Blue Farmgirl
77 Posts
Cris
Prairie Farm
WI
USA
77 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 5:45:03 PM
|
Congratulations on your new chickens! :-) I have a box full arriving tomorrow in the mail. I can hardly wait! I've been raising chickens for the past four years, and the first year (while a steep learning curve) was a blast from the get-go. Have you checked out any books? There are lots out there that are great for beginners. I just read a brand new one by Jenna Woginrich, called Chick Days. You can find copies on Amazon.com, or a Tractor Supply stores. Really, I think your local bookstore could find a copy for you too! It has wonderful pictures, shows you week by week up to "laying" age what to expect, practical tips on chicken care. It is nice for beginners, which it sounds like you are! If you wanted more book ideas, feel free to email me at cris.cantin@yahoo.com I have a whole library full (I teach mini-classes on backyard chicken farming from time to time!)
"A farmgirl can never have enough chickens!"--me |
|
|
|
amomfly
True Blue Farmgirl
658 Posts
Angie
LaGrange
IN
USA
658 Posts |
Posted - Mar 29 2011 : 5:56:02 PM
|
Congrats on your new chicks. I agree with everyone else, 3-4 mos. Kept warm and dry. Now I do put them out on grass during the day if it is warm in a big dog crate. It is one of thos all metal ones, lined with chicken wire. They can't get out and nothing gets in!
I know you will love them!
Come visit my blog
http://angieruralliving.blogspot.com/
God Bless
Angie-amomfly
#1038 |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: Chicken Question? |
|
Chicken Question?
