Raising Chicks: The First Eight Weeks
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- Опубликовано: 2 авг 2024
- #HobbyFarm #BabyChicks #Chicks
One of the most important times in a chickens life are the first eight weeks. Steve & Brian talk about the special needs chicks have during this crucial period, and what you should do to help them through it.
Link to "Beyond Chickens: Adding To Your Backyard Flock" -
• Beyond Chickens: Addin...
Just what I needed to know. Straight to the point, clear and simple, thanks so much.
Thanks so much for watching!
Thanks. Excellent. Short and to the point.
Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching!
Thank you for your no-nonsense, straight to the point video!
We certainly try! Thanks for watching!
Thanks for the good basic information! Getting my first chicks this spring
Glad we can help! Good luck and have fun!
I’m so glad these archived videos are available. We’ve raised a batch of chicks in the spring for the last few years so you’d think we know what to expect but your videos ALWAYS have some little tidbits of golden advice. Comes in handy as we expect to get 4 more chicks next week.
Glad you’re enjoying the back catalog!
Thank-you love our chicks
You are very welcome! Glad you are happy with them!
I've got thirty-two in the brooder right now great advice guys
Awesome!
Thanks guys !!!
You are very welcome!
Thanks for the tips! 🐣
Any time! Hope it helps!
Thanks!!
Welcome!
I had absolutely no idea. I don't raise chickens, but i find them interesting. Thanks for sharing.
So nice of you! Thanks for watching!
this was super helpful. thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing. Subscribed! We have 50 layers and 50 meat birds arriving this spring. Great information! Looking forward to watching more of your videos!
Thanks for the sub! Have fun with the birds!
I’ve heard that if the chicks are fully vaccinated they do Not need the medicated feed, is this true? It also said if fully vaccinated and you give them the medicated feed it can be damaging.
Good job!!!
Thank you! Cheers!
I’m getting chicks in a few weeks. I’ve watched many videos and this one has been the most helpful! Any additional tips before I dive in?
1) They grow faster than you expect. A small brooder will work at first but they can quickly outgrow their space. 2) Spend a few minutes every day talking to them & holding them. When they are older and more friendly you will be glad you did.
Good video! I have a question for you I am two weeks into raising some checks in the basement we’ve been turning the light on in the evenings and they have “decent” light during the day when is it good to leave them in the dark for the night. So that way when I transition them to the outside coop they know to go in for the evening thanks P.S. been using a thermal poultry brooder instead of a heat lamp
Since you aren't using a heat lamp, I'd start transitioning them to "normal" lighting right away. In other words, I'd leave the light on in the day and turn it off at night. If they were being raised in the coop, they would experience normal day/night changes, so there is no reason they can't get used to it indoors.
@@HobbyFarmGuys thanks for the fast response!!
I can't wait until my chicks are ready to go outside
We all feel that way once they get to be a few weeks old.
Do all chicken breeds require light to warm them when they're few days old?
Do heritage breeds like the Sussex or Orpington require lights?
(We live in the South and it's really hot here 82-91°F)
Thanks!
You want to make sure the temp in their brooder is about 95 for the first week. Drop it by about 5 degrees per week until they are about 6 weeks old. If a heater or heat lamp isn’t needed to get the right temperature, there is no need for one.
I recently saw some warnings about heat lamps in brooders starting fires. Is there a specific type or way of installing them that can help to reduce this risk? Does the lamp need to be on around the clock? We are thinking about getting chickens next spring and I’m trying to be as prepared as possible. Thanks!
Most heat lamps come with a wire guard and it is highly recommended that you do not remove it. Even with the guard in place, you will want to make sure you keep the lamp at least 6 inches away from anything flammable (wood, bedding, etc.). Don't get the cheapest lamp available...the nicer ones are usually designed to be safer. Also, you don't need a 250 watt lamp like some places sell. 125-175 watts are plenty and less of a fire hazard (if brooding lots of chicks, 2 smaller watt lamps are safer than one high wattage one) You should make sure the lamp is secure, and have a safety chain or other device that will keep the lamp from contacting anything flammable if it falls. You will need to keep the lamp on around the clock (except brief periods when you are cleaning, feeding, etc.).
Good luck!
I've always wrapped the cord around the 2x4 that I have placed above the brooder. Just have a secure holder and you shouldn't have risk of fire.
Good idea. I do the same.
Beginner here, getting the first chicks in 1-2 weeks. What age should they get moved to the coop?
Assuming it is warm enough in your climate (should be in most places by then) 4-5 weeks is a good age. I tend to wait a little longer if introducing them to older chickens, but if they are the only ones that should be plenty old enough. Welcome to the world of chickens!
I am expecting my chicks soon. They will be a couple weeks old.by the time i get them. I will do as you say n keep them inside until 8 weeks. But after that the temps will hit over 100 degrees. Is a swamp cooler blowing on them once outside going to be sufficient? Do you have any suggestions or warnings for my climate?
A swamp cooler will certainly help with extreme heat, but as long as you give them plenty of fresh water, plenty of shaded areas, and a place for a dust bath they will be fine most days. For really high temperatures, you can add a mister around the coop/run to help as well. We did a video about the best chicken breeds for hot climates, and it contains some good information about how to help in extreme heat. Here is the link: ruclips.net/video/vPsjcdPO6dE/видео.html
Mine have small eggs cuz they are seramas 😊
Small chickens…but you can keep more in the same space!
Great info!! Question:
1. When bringing the chicks home and as they age, week by week, do I keep the heat the same level or do I need to reduce the heat as they age? (i’m thinking, as they start to get mature feathers, would I overheat them if I don’t reduce the heat as they age?)
2. Is there a recommended/preferred temperature outside, to where I can introduce them slowly, day by day, in preparation for moving to the big coop with the other girls? (it’s March in Ohio, we hover around 40°- 50° lately)
Great questions!
1. Keep the heat at about 95 degrees for the first week. As they develop feathers this will get too hot, so lower the temperature 5 degrees each week until you are at about 65-70 degrees.
2: Once the outside temperature during the day matches the desired brooder temperature, you can bring the chicks outside to get them used to things. I wouldn’t move them outside permanently until at least 6 weeks (weather permitting), preferably at 7 or 8 weeks. Make sure you introduce them to the older members of the flock slowly, and keep a close eye on them to make sure they aren’t bullied.
@@HobbyFarmGuys Excellent!! Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate your videos, the knowledge you share with us newbie chicken people is outstanding!
I want to buy 20 chicks, today 10/22/23 Now if I go this route will I have to keep them indoors even after fully feathered, it would be about January they would be out. buff bram and brown and white mix. Your thoughts and experience. I raise reptiles too so heating is natural to me.
If you have the space, and you don’t mind messy & smelly birds indoors, there are some advantages to autumn chicks. Specifically, they will start laying in the spring!