hello--my bio class at school recently incubated eggs, and 3 of them hatched. i have 2 of the chicks at home with me now, but need to know what else should be done to insure their health. the older chick is about 10 days old, and the younger one is 7-8 days old. for the time being, they are living in a cardboard box with pine shavings in the bottom. they have a constant supply of water, and are being fed a mixture of these substances: dry oats, cornmeal, soy flour and bonemeal. i let them out to play/catch bugs in the yard about 5 times a day, and take them inside to sleep. what else should i do? does their feed need to be changed as they mature? can i do anything to help them molt their 'fuzz' and get into their stiff, white feathers? how soon will i be able to tell what breed they are? please answer a.s.a.p!! thank you!

pixie
michigan, usa

Pixie,
You don't mention whether you have a light bulb over them for heat. Should be 95 degrees for first week of life and then lower by 5 degrees each week. I'm not sure about whether your homemade feed would be a proper balanced diet for your biddies or not. They should be fully feathered by 8 weeks old. They'll grow so fast you can almost see them grow! It would be fun to take pics of them every week so you can have a record of their growth. Take a look at the brooding and other poultry info. at the following site:

http://home.earthlink.net/~manzanovalph/cyberlibrary.html

Also, you can look up the different breeds of chickens on the breed page of the following site:

http://www.feathersite.com

Have fun!

thanks, tigger!! i don't have a lightbulb over them anymore--here in michigan it gets to be 90F as soon as 11am. what do you recommend feed-wise? i went to Quality Farm & Fleet to look for feed, but they only sell 50lb. bags [needless to say, that is WAY too much for 2 chicks...]. thanks again for the web-info, as well as your advice!! more suggestions are always welcome. :-)


pixie

Pixie,
They really need supplemental heat 24 hrs a day, though, until they are fully feathered at about 8 weeks old. There should be more than one feed store in your area, so look around. The smallest bag you'll find will be 25 lbs, but you'll use at least that much starter/grower as you won't change feed until they are 20-22 weeks old. If you have hens (or 1 hen, 1 rooster), gradually change to layer ration. If you have roosters and you plan to keep them, then gradually change to breeder ration (even though you may not be breeding them, it's a balanced adult feed). Of course, if you plan to butcher and eat them, there's another feeding regimen to use. All this feed info is on the Poultry Cyberlibrary site I gave you. It doesn't take long to get bit by the "poultry bug," so, I wouldn't be surprised if those 2 don't get a few coop-mates in the near future! Have fun!

thank you, once again, tigger! how do i sex the chickens? [remember, i am totally new at this] what's this about layer rations? *sigh* i may never get this all straightened out. if they are females, i would really like egg hens--anything particular that needs to be done? [feed, etc.] the cyberlibrary site was helpful--but most of the information about chicks and feed is to do with pheasants. :-) any more info you would give me is helpful beyond explaination!

pixie

Hello again, Pixie! It's very difficult to accurately sex young chicks. Just wait until they're older, say somewhere in the neighborhood of 8 wks and you'll be able to see the difference. Males have different feathering and are larger overall with bigger combs and wattles and around 12 wks will start to crow. About feed...the change from starter/grower ration to layer or breeder ration is at 20-22 weeks depending on what sex your birds end up being. All hens lay eggs, some just lay better than others. It really depends on the breed. You will find info on the Cyberlibrary site on feeding laying hens. You need to pay attention to the section headings, dear. The first section is all about pheasants. Keep panning down and you will see sections devoted specifically to chickens. I recommend articles like "Managing your backyard flock" and the 4H Poultry Raising articles. But, read other articles there, too! I'd also highly recommend the book by Gail Damerow, "A Guide to Raising Chickens." If you're serious about raising chickens properly, this book is a MUST HAVE! Might be available at your local library or bookstore. If not, you can find it at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com or borders.com. Good luck!

hello, tigger--as you suggested, i put the chicks under a heat lamp. i am still looking for feed. these babies are insatiable;-they're always yelling for me- wanting either to come sit in my lap, or to be fed. also: [newbies must really get on your nerves ;-) ] how come they both develop a small, darkish lump under the skin, on their right 'shoulders' after eating? (is this where the gizzard is located?) the cyberlibrary articles were helpful, but didn't explain too much about times to change feed. (ie: starter, finisher, layer, etc.) and, do they need to learn to take dust baths yet, or will this strike them as a necessity when they get older? i am grateful for all your help, and hope that you'll put up with me a little while longer. :-)

pixie

Pixie, If your chicks are yelling all is NOT right. They are cold or too warm--and should have food and water before them at all times, so they are never thirsty or hungry. The lumplump is their crop full of food. The gizzard is wayinside--not visible. The crop collects the food and water and it empties as the food moves slowly through the rest of the digestive system ending in the poop. Happy chicks are QUIET and do not cry! There should be no noise except tiny tiny soft communication-peeps, except when one pecks another--or if they are stuck somewhere. Then there will be a little screech or a constant peep tells you something is wrong! They eat, drink, sleep and grow quietly, together. and do a little quiet exploring of their pen as they get a little older. Feed your Start and Grow crumbles until the pullets start to lay. No need to change feed unless your flock needs to be separated for some to become fryers or broilers. If not, change to a layer ration after they start laying --not before! At 4 weeks or older, they may take a dust bath, if they have the option. It is instinct, just like for little kids, a childrens wading pool is an attraction and fun--or a nice shower--a dust bath just feels good! Enjoy your chicks and don't worry, just watch their interesting development. CJR

tigger--i am still not sure about the yelling bit. the heat lamp in the box keeps it around 90F, water and dry-grain food gets changed 8+ times a day, and i've even started buying worms/grubs for them. even when they are outside, they want to sit on my shoulders: i sometimes have to 'abandon' them outside in order for them to roam. right now, the babies are sleeping on my lap. i don't know what to do--it's hard to keep up with the 'to do' list with a pair of chickens following me everywhere. is there some way i can make them less attached? there is a battle for my attention on the way; betwixt the cat and baby #1 and #2. i am fretting that something might be done wrong, but from what you tell me/i've read, i am pulling my weight. my mind is in a clutter- please help. thank you for your patience and counseling.

a very weary pix

i finally found someone at QF&F to open a bag of start and grow, and sell me 10lbs of it. the babies are still yelling-unless they're on my lap/shoulders- and i have no idea what to do about it. thank you for the explaination of the crop, CJR! :-) someone please tell me what i need to do--babies are making me nuts! ;-)

pixie

how about some responses? :-)
the babies are doing well, and have fully "feathered-out" wings now. i am still feeding them start/grow. i think i'll switch to layer rations once they start laying. [i am somewhat sure they're both hens] but-- i still need help on what to do about the yelling. what happens if i go to school with two chickens trailing behind me? please help.

pixie