Preparing for my first time raising baby chicks

[Chicken_man_J]

My local feed store has an order of Rhode Island Blue chicks arriving April 17th. Been researching and talking to people to get input and advice to prepare for them and taking care of them before they can free range. Going to get between 8-12 baby chicks. Currently have no other chickens.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Is the coop ready? My top piece of advice, have the coop completely finished before you get chicks.

Why yes I was stuck in a situation where we needed emergency bathroom repairs and the chicks were in the only other bath/shower in the house... we spent that weekend in the rain trying to build the coop because they had to be out by Monday. Not fun.

 

[Chicken_man_J]

Is the coop ready? My top piece of advice, have the coop completely finished before you get chicks.

Why yes I was stuck in a situation where we needed emergency bathroom repairs and the chicks were in the only other bath/shower in the house... we spent that weekend in the rain trying to build the coop because they had to be out by Monday. Not fun.

I have my current coop (https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...oing-to-be-on-a-6-x-10-trailer.1578351/page-3) Any advice on preparing the coop for the chicks? Going to keep them in the coop until getting bigger and building a covered run and long ramp if they want to get into the coop. They will be able to stay under the trailer and go into the sun. Plan on running an extension cord to a heat lamp to the inside of the coop.

 

[StinkyAcres]

They will need the covered run for fresh air, light, and protection from predators, especially while they are not yet adult size.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have my current coop (https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...oing-to-be-on-a-6-x-10-trailer.1578351/page-3) Any advice on preparing the coop for the chicks? Going to keep them in the coop until getting bigger and building a covered run and long ramp if they want to get into the coop. They will be able to stay under the trailer and go into the sun. Plan on running an extension cord to a heat lamp to the inside of the coop.

Then the main hurdle has been cleared. Since you're starting with 8-12 chicks, I would section off maybe half of the coop for the first 7-10 days or so, so that chicks don't wander too far from food, water or heat until they're a little steadier on their feet.

 

[Chicken_man_J]

Then the main hurdle has been cleared. Since you're starting with 8-12 chicks, I would section off maybe half of the coop for the first 7-10 days or so, so that chicks don't wander too far from food, water or heat until they're a little steadier on their feet.

Was thinking keeping them in the back section where I can open the doors to access them. Will get a waterer and feeder that they can access along with starter feed. Any input on the type of starter feed and checking on them referring to the pasty butt?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Was thinking keeping them in the back section where I can open the doors to access them. Will get a waterer and feeder that they can access along with starter feed. Any input on the type of starter feed and checking on them referring to the pasty butt?

Whatever starter feed you can easily get that's as close to freshly milled as possible. For me I find that that's usually local brands (which for me is Scratch & Peck... obviously you're way on the other side of the country, so I don't know what's most available to you).

As far as pasty butt, if the chicks have room (which you should easily have) to move away from the heat source and the ambient temperatures aren't too high, there should be a lower chance of pasty butt. Some chicks may arrive with it due to shipping stress or from overheating in the feed store but I find that it generally resolves itself as long as they can cool off a little. For the first few days I'd try to make a habit of picking up each chick to check their rear (maybe have a cardboard box that you put birds in after you've checked them?), but if you don't see it and temps remain moderate I find that the chances of it showing up later are minimal.

 

[Chicken_man_J]

Without a thermometer, how would I make sure the chicks are at the correct temperature each week?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Without a thermometer, how would I make sure the chicks are at the correct temperature each week?

The chicks will adjust for themselves as long as they have access to the heat source and enough room to move away from it when they don't want it.

 

[Chicken_man_J]

The chicks will adjust for themselves as long as they have access to the heat source and enough room to move away from it when they don't want it.

How close should I put them close to the plate? Should I put them down near the plate or just begin under the plate and keep the waterer and feeder near it or how close to it? The ambient temperatures should be around 80. Spoke to the feed store today and they were ordered from Mt. Healthy Hatcheries.