Chicks!
How Many Chicks Do You Count?
We got our chicks today! Buff Orpington Pullets to be exact
This breed is used for meat and eggs, so a “dual purpose” chicken. Their temperment is rumored to be calm and friendly, as opposed to skittish or aggressive. Buff Orpingtons are also good Mommas, once their time comes. Some breeds will not stay put on their eggs, enough to grow new chicks anyhow, and we wanted the option to raise our own chicks. As for egg production, Buff Orpingtons are not the top of the line, but they lay well in winter and summer. A great overall hen- or atleast I’ve read!
This is the first time I’ve (attempted) to raise chicks, and here are the basic directions I’m following:
1) Starting temp. 95 degrees, lower 5 degrees each week.
(100-150 Watt Light bulb)
2) Use commercial feed for type of poultry ordered.
3) Clean, dry straw for litter (not newspaper). Keep dry.
4) Upon arrival, dip beak in water, then feed.
5) Check birds often
Let me know tips and anything else I need to know! Comment or email at kristen@simplykristen.com
Tips I just got:
- For their first drink add 1/4 cup of sucanat to 1 quart of water to help regulate their sugar.
- Use a thermometer to check their temperature, and if too cold can add a towel/box/whatever over the non-lighted side to hold some warmth.
WHOA!
Posted in Chickens, Homesteading
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:33 am
How FUN! They are SO cute! We just ordered ours (1st time), and I ordered Buff Orpingtons in our mix, too.
Great picture w/ your girl.
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:47 am
Thanks! I’m loving the little chicks. SOOO sweet!
What else was in your mix?
April 3rd, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I got this email:
Hi Jon!
I decided on the Buff Orpingtons because they are pretty good layers, but also gentle, and are supposed to be good mothers (they will actually sit on their eggs till they hatch). Some varieties of birds don’t like to sit on their eggs. Strange huh?
I have never raised chicks (as an adult), so this is my first time! I’ll be updating my blog with more information.
Here is where I bought them:
http://www.ridgwayhatchery.com
We got 25 Pullets (females) for about $35 I think. Then you’ve got to buy some starter feeds, lights to keep them warm (you could find something around your farm that would work), and a way to water them (I use the quart jar feeders/waterers and like them).
-Kristen
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:26 pm
1 Buff Rock
1 Barred Rock
2 White Rock
2 Black Australorp
2 Speckled Sussex
2 Buff Orpington
1 Delaware
1 Araucana
1 Lakenvelder
1 Buttercup
1 Egyptian Fayoumis (*ETA)
———————————————
15 total, due 5/11.
We picked some for their cold weather laying abilities, some for their gentleness, and some for exhibiting.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Wow! I’ve never heard of such a variety before!
I was reading that the Buff Orpingtons often get picked on in groups because they are so mild natured. So, watch out for them- I’m all partial now.
April 3rd, 2009 at 6:42 pm
Laughing…we like Murray McMurray (Iowa) b/c there are no minimums/breed (AND it’s a closer shipment than Ideal Poultry in TX). There were a few more breeds we wanted, but we’ll start w/ these and see how we fare.
They’re all females, and we’ll keep an eye on the milder breeds…thanks for the tip!
April 3rd, 2009 at 11:13 pm
BTW, here’s the site for Murray McMurray. You can read about breeds pretty easily:
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/product/buff_orpingtons.html
April 7th, 2009 at 10:08 pm
[...] Our chicks are now a week old! They have grown way more than we expected and only one has died (now we have 24). The chicks have now moved from being crowded and almost jumping out of the wash tub: To being in a large box with more feeders! The large box provides more room, which they will need as they grow. However, there are two issues to consider with the large box: 1. They still need 90-95 degrees in there, so I hung a towel on either side to trap the heat. 2. There are square corners now. With right angles like that, chicks can get trapped and smothered to death. Round “corners” are best. But, hey! I’m working with what I have. [...]
April 8th, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Oh my husband and I want chicks so bad especially females that will grow into great big hens providing us with fresh eggs each week! Until we get our own I will live vicariously through you and your chicks
thanks for posting