The Boys with the Chickens

No pithy comments, just the boys digging on the baby chicks...

Unpacking the Chicks, A Retrospective

We did not get a chance to upload the chicks being unpacked into the brooder the day after they hatched, so here are a few shots of the process:

Baby chicks are shipped the same day they are hatched and have enough nutrients to keep them for a day or so. we ordered ours from Meyer Hatchery and they arrived in great shape. If you do order online, plan to take the day off when they are expected to arrive, that way you can get over to the postal sub-station and bring them home quickly, the USPS has correctly categorized live chicks as "perishable items". ;)

Our chicks arrived in a sturdy box that contained bedding similar to Easter basket grass, but made of a jute-like product. Additionally, the box also contained a warming packet to ensure they arrive toasty and happy (hot chicks!).


I was at work, so the chick-acclimation was left up to the ladies.


Chicks checking out the new digs.

We're Going to Need a Bigger Brooder...

Feeding the chickens is getting to be exactly like this:

Fortunately, not being at sea, needing a bigger brooder is easily remedied. I added a foot to the walls of the brooder as the chicks are already jumping to the height of the original container. The corner posts are angled in slightly creating a frame that self-centers on the plastic tub.

A nice side-benefit is that the heat lamp can be raised higher since the new walls do a great job at preventing drafts.



The chicks, resting for the evening.

Die Hühner sind angekommen!

That's right, the chickens have arrived!

In high-def!

Brooding Chamber

While this heat bulb certainly seems to do the trick, I need to get a red heat bulb as the color reduces pecking behavior.


Currently in my garage, I am load-testing the brooder to ensure that I can keep an even temperature throughout the night. :)

The chicks have to stay between 90-95 degrees for the first week, and then we drop the brooder temperature 5 degrees every week until they are ready to go outside (about six weeks or so).

The bin is the same one I used to remove cosmoline from the Mosin-Nagant I received for Christmas (it has been thoroughly and completely cleaned)!

This is the chick waterer (left) and feeder (right). Their water will have have vitamins and electrolytes mixed in to help overcome shipping stress, and initial vitamin shortage. The feed will just be standard chick starter feed.

Coop Under Construction

Night time photo of the coop under construction. It's 4'x8', built on CCA 4x4 runners and has a substantial overhang on the left side to accommodate the nesting box (not yet built).

Welcome to Das Chicken haus!

File photo, not my chicken.

First Post. Our Araucana chickens are being hatched today and should arrive in the mail either tomorrow or the next day!

More to come!