Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
3. When every member of your new coop has been given a long drink and eaten a good
meal, all that's left is to assure that their brooder is warm and dry and located out of
harm's way.
Don't be surprised if the chicks fall asleep right away. Like human newborns, chicks
sleep often but never when you want them to.
If the chick takes the hint, she'll smack her mouth and throw her head back to drink
.
We started with a recycled egg carton for the chicks' food and a small plastic dish
for their water, but we immediately recognized the need to get a regulation chick
feeder and fount. Baby chicks don't have a lick of common sense and will stand in
the water, get themselves wet, and catch a chill. Plus they poop on everything in
theirenvironmentandkicklittereverywhere,includingtheirfoodandwater,given
the chance.
Containers specifically designed for chicks help keep their food and water sup-
ply clean - but I find that I still need to excavate their food from piles of wood
shavings at least twice a day.
Chick Diary
