Raising chicks 4th experience
I realized this morning that we are five weeks into our 4th batch of chicks. And it has gotten pretty routine. Dare I say, almost easy. The stress of shipping, heating, cleaning and the mess, is mostly avoidable. Most of this realization comes from lessons learned including Rookie Mistakes.
We started our Chicken journey in the spring of 2016. It started with an idea to have a few chickens that our new grandchild would like to visit. Like most projects, we started with research which led to BackYardchickens.com. We also researched other sites and spoke to experienced chicken keepers.
As we have gained experience we have learned what works for us and the girls and what does not. It turns out brooding chicks has become pretty easy and non stressful.
Here is a brief timeline of some key events:
I realized this morning that we are five weeks into our 4th batch of chicks. And it has gotten pretty routine. Dare I say, almost easy. The stress of shipping, heating, cleaning and the mess, is mostly avoidable. Most of this realization comes from lessons learned including Rookie Mistakes.
We started our Chicken journey in the spring of 2016. It started with an idea to have a few chickens that our new grandchild would like to visit. Like most projects, we started with research which led to BackYardchickens.com. We also researched other sites and spoke to experienced chicken keepers.
As we have gained experience we have learned what works for us and the girls and what does not. It turns out brooding chicks has become pretty easy and non stressful.
Here is a brief timeline of some key events:
- Spring 2016, let’s raise chickens
- July 2016, join Backyardchickens.com
- September 2016, we will get chicks in the spring of 2017. It is time to pick a coop.
Settled on the Daisy coop and bought plans. This coop has worked. But if I were ever to do a coop version 2. I would make different decisions.
The Coop
Although the building started early, it was not done in time.
Rookie mistake. Having the coop ready before you get your first chick will really make things easier.
- May 2017 we got our first Chicks mail order from MyPetChicken. We brooded them at first in a plastic storage container. And then in a large cardboard box. We heated with a reptile heat lamp. Using the strategy of 95F under the lamp for a week, then lowering by 5F each week. They finally moved to the coop at 8 weeks. We had some losses and it was quite stressful. Rookie mistake.
- April 2020. We are down to just two/three hens, time to add a few. We now get our feed and chicks from a local feed store. Ventura Feed and Grain in Tauron, MA. https://www.venturagraininc.com/ That eliminates the stress of U.S.P.S. And this store is staffed by real farmers. So, it is our go to place.
This time we did the Momma Heating Pad and moved them to the covered run after just a few days.
Brooder in covered run - Updated 7/11 Six weeks
The outdoor brooder introduces the chicks to the run, the outdoors, the soil and the big girls. Those chicks were great and integrated themselves. Very little stress except the worry about cold. But they all did great. Note this light is an LED light and adds little to no heat. It is timed to turn on/off sunrise/sunset.
- In 2020 we were allowing the girls in a side run that was not secure.
Rookie mistake. We had losses.
- April 2022 new chicks to replace losses. Outdoor MHP. Chick raising is getting pretty easy. MHP in March outdoors
- March 24, 2023. 4 new chicks. 4th day outside to the brooder. The first overnight temp was 22F. With the assistance of the MHP, they all did great.
- April 24, 2023. Chick escape doors cut into the brooder allowing chicks to integrate on their schedule. They do well and are not really bothered. The hens still have layer feed, but the chicks stay away. The hens can not get to the chick feed as it is in the brooder. At about 8 weeks bothe the layer feed and the starter feed will be exhausted. At that point we will switch the whole flock to “grower crumbles”
- May 5, 2023. The MHP is now permanently off. Although they still sleep on it.
Here are pictures from the last couple days.
- Anticipated future events include
- the chicks moving themselves into the coop. This small group of 4 already spend a large portion of the day in the run mingling. They take their turn at the main water station.
- Provide overhead cover for the auxiliary run. Hawks have been the main cause of losses. Hopefully netting over the auxiliary run will limit these losses. This area will also give our larger flock more room during daylight hours.
- Coop addition. We now have exceeded the recommended square footage per chicken.
