BriannaG
In the Brooder
Hi everyone! I'm having 22 chicks delivered in late March, and am working on prepping my brooder space. I have some questions that I'm hoping you can help me with!
1. Medicated vs unmedicated feed. The chicks will be vaccinated for mareks, not coccidiosis. So I was leaning towards medicated feed to be on the safe side. But I'm nervous about messing with their vitamin absorption, especially after the stress of transport. I also read that silkies should not be fed medicated feed (more prone to vitamin deficiencies and wry neck?) I'm not getting any silkies, but I am getting 2 silked Easter Eggers so I do worry that they may be more sensitive like silkies. I was thinking I might start on unmedicated feed for the first week to make sure they're getting all the vitamins, then switch to medicated after a week, at which point I'll begin introducing them to clumps of grass with dirt from the yard, just little bits every couple of days. Then plan to keep them on medicated until they've transitioned to their outside coop & run for 2 weeks. Does this sound like a good idea?? Should I skip the medicated feed all together because of the silked Easter Eggers?
2. Puppy pads. These are safe right? I was planning to use just puppy pads for the first few days, then add flaked pine shavings on top after that. But I've seen some people saying the pee pads are not safe, and contain ammonia that may burn the chicks feet??
3. Grit. When I start introducing elements from outside, should I give them grit as well? Or will the dirt be enough?
4. Perches. When to add to brooder space? I was going to use branches from around the yard for them to jump/climb/perch on, would this be okay?
5. Trips outside. At what age do you usually start taking them for trips outside? I know this also depends on the weather but just in general?
Thank you for any insight!
1. Medicated vs unmedicated feed. The chicks will be vaccinated for mareks, not coccidiosis. So I was leaning towards medicated feed to be on the safe side. But I'm nervous about messing with their vitamin absorption, especially after the stress of transport. I also read that silkies should not be fed medicated feed (more prone to vitamin deficiencies and wry neck?) I'm not getting any silkies, but I am getting 2 silked Easter Eggers so I do worry that they may be more sensitive like silkies. I was thinking I might start on unmedicated feed for the first week to make sure they're getting all the vitamins, then switch to medicated after a week, at which point I'll begin introducing them to clumps of grass with dirt from the yard, just little bits every couple of days. Then plan to keep them on medicated until they've transitioned to their outside coop & run for 2 weeks. Does this sound like a good idea?? Should I skip the medicated feed all together because of the silked Easter Eggers?
2. Puppy pads. These are safe right? I was planning to use just puppy pads for the first few days, then add flaked pine shavings on top after that. But I've seen some people saying the pee pads are not safe, and contain ammonia that may burn the chicks feet??
3. Grit. When I start introducing elements from outside, should I give them grit as well? Or will the dirt be enough?
4. Perches. When to add to brooder space? I was going to use branches from around the yard for them to jump/climb/perch on, would this be okay?
5. Trips outside. At what age do you usually start taking them for trips outside? I know this also depends on the weather but just in general?
Thank you for any insight!