*Poultry Lovers*

[gumboots99]

Hi I am a town girl XD but none the less I am soon getting silkie chickens. i hope to get about 6 and was wondering how you guys insolate your chicken coops (I live in canada) but also what you feed chicks ect...thanks!

[Ekio]

Depends on your chicks. When ordering from a hatchery you usually have a choice of vaccinated or non. If they are vaccinated then you can feed un-medicated feed. If they aren't you'll need Medicated feed. The bag will give you an estimate of how long to feed them the chick feed. After that it's your choice of crumbles or pellets for adult feed.

I'm not sure on insulation. Ours doesn't have any as our seasons are milder. I'd check on several chicken sites or books and see on that one. (back yard chickens(dot) com may have a section for you guys, I'm not sure I haven't checked but I know they have a section for silkies!)

Grats on getting some chicks soon. I'm in the city myself. ^_^

[xavia]

I normally feed my chicks chick feed and put supplements in there water to give em a boost

[Gà.]

Hi I am a town girl XD but none the less I am soon getting silkie chickens. i hope to get about 6 and was wondering how you guys insolate your chicken coops (I live in canada) but also what you feed chicks ect...thanks!

Food: medicated or non-medicated (depends if you get them vaccinated) until their about 3-4 months, then start to introduce some layer crumbles, when 5monthes + they can have all crumbles or pellets (for bantams you NEED crumble chick feed and NEED to grind it smaller, even they can't eat it as a normal crumble)

Water: keep it clean as possible, and dip their beaks in it when you get them. If your getting just hatchery chicks and have like 20, only dip 4-5 and the rest will get it

Bedding: straw is best, hay is good but pricey since its better quality (ie for eating), never use wood chips or spruce chips. One of them is deadly to chicks but I don't remember so... Just don't use chips ! XD another choice of bedding is the kind of stuff you use for like a rabbit... Errr.... Can't think of names..... But it'll be in the box if you buy from a food store (that sells chicks, that is)

Brooder: We use the big metal bins, but we also own a lot more chicks. A sturdy wooden box is good, you can use a box but you'll need to clean it often xD. If your only getting 3-4 chicks a small parrot cage will work.

Moving outside: they can move outside when their 2 months old, like completely, but can go and forage at any age. If its like 80-60 put constantly, they can live outside at a mere 2 weeks, so long as you have a heat lamp for colder days

Heat lamp: RED. USE RED. Do NOT use white, as it can cause them to pull out their feathers. If they're huddled together, they're too cold. If they're panting and spread out, they're too hot. Lift the heat lamp up and down accordingly to help. If they have their wings spread out and are laying on their side, they're just soaking up heat and having a good time. (Ie sun basking)

Sun basking and dirt bathing: if they have their wings spread over their side, and are sleeping (they might be awake), they're just sun basking. Google it for further examples, it's cute! Dirt bathing is a bird cleaning its feathers. They might start doing a thing where they sit down, puff out their wings and scratch at the ground. If they do this while still inside, give them a bucket full of dirt, they'll love it!

Treats: do not give them treats unless its something soft like noodles. Other then that, do not give them treats until they're outside or have grit. They need rocks,or 'grit', to digest foods other then chick crumbles, so if you start giving them treats, give them a handful of dirt or wait until their older and outside. But we often give small chicks noodles and they do fine with it (and LOVE it!)

If you need any more info shoot me a PM or ask here ^^ I love helping

[gumboots99]

Hi I am a town girl XD but none the less I am soon getting silkie chickens. i hope to get about 6 and was wondering how you guys insolate your chicken coops (I live in canada) but also what you feed chicks ect...thanks!

Food: medicated or non-medicated (depends if you get them vaccinated) until their about 3-4 months, then start to introduce some layer crumbles, when 5monthes + they can have all crumbles or pellets (for bantams you NEED crumble chick feed and NEED to grind it smaller, even they can't eat it as a normal crumble)

Water: keep it clean as possible, and dip their beaks in it when you get them. If your getting just hatchery chicks and have like 20, only dip 4-5 and the rest will get it

Bedding: straw is best, hay is good but pricey since its better quality (ie for eating), never use wood chips or spruce chips. One of them is deadly to chicks but I don't remember so... Just don't use chips ! XD another choice of bedding is the kind of stuff you use for like a rabbit... Errr.... Can't think of names..... But it'll be in the box if you buy from a food store (that sells chicks, that is)

Brooder: We use the big metal bins, but we also own a lot more chicks. A sturdy wooden box is good, you can use a box but you'll need to clean it often xD. If your only getting 3-4 chicks a small parrot cage will work.

Moving outside: they can move outside when their 2 months old, like completely, but can go and forage at any age. If its like 80-60 put constantly, they can live outside at a mere 2 weeks, so long as you have a heat lamp for colder days

Heat lamp: RED. USE RED. Do NOT use white, as it can cause them to pull out their feathers. If they're huddled together, they're too cold. If they're panting and spread out, they're too hot. Lift the heat lamp up and down accordingly to help. If they have their wings spread out and are laying on their side, they're just soaking up heat and having a good time. (Ie sun basking)

Sun basking and dirt bathing: if they have their wings spread over their side, and are sleeping (they might be awake), they're just sun basking. Google it for further examples, it's cute! Dirt bathing is a bird cleaning its feathers. They might start doing a thing where they sit down, puff out their wings and scratch at the ground. If they do this while still inside, give them a bucket full of dirt, they'll love it!

Treats: do not give them treats unless its something soft like noodles. Other then that, do not give them treats until they're outside or have grit. They need rocks,or 'grit', to digest foods other then chick crumbles, so if you start giving them treats, give them a handful of dirt or wait until their older and outside. But we often give small chicks noodles and they do fine with it (and LOVE it!)

If you need any more info shoot me a PM or ask here ^^ I love helping

thanks a bunch...lol i am sooo unexperianced. Did not know...any of that I dont think.....XD anyways can they eat composed and stuff? and also what do you mean by crumbles....I am sooooo new to this XD...

[AccentOnHakes]

Hi I am a town girl XD but none the less I am soon getting silkie chickens. i hope to get about 6 and was wondering how you guys insolate your chicken coops (I live in canada) but also what you feed chicks ect...thanks!

Food: medicated or non-medicated (depends if you get them vaccinated) until their about 3-4 months, then start to introduce some layer crumbles, when 5monthes + they can have all crumbles or pellets (for bantams you NEED crumble chick feed and NEED to grind it smaller, even they can't eat it as a normal crumble)

Water: keep it clean as possible, and dip their beaks in it when you get them. If your getting just hatchery chicks and have like 20, only dip 4-5 and the rest will get it

Bedding: straw is best, hay is good but pricey since its better quality (ie for eating), never use wood chips or spruce chips. One of them is deadly to chicks but I don't remember so... Just don't use chips ! XD another choice of bedding is the kind of stuff you use for like a rabbit... Errr.... Can't think of names..... But it'll be in the box if you buy from a food store (that sells chicks, that is)

Brooder: We use the big metal bins, but we also own a lot more chicks. A sturdy wooden box is good, you can use a box but you'll need to clean it often xD. If your only getting 3-4 chicks a small parrot cage will work.

Moving outside: they can move outside when their 2 months old, like completely, but can go and forage at any age. If its like 80-60 put constantly, they can live outside at a mere 2 weeks, so long as you have a heat lamp for colder days

Heat lamp: RED. USE RED. Do NOT use white, as it can cause them to pull out their feathers. If they're huddled together, they're too cold. If they're panting and spread out, they're too hot. Lift the heat lamp up and down accordingly to help. If they have their wings spread out and are laying on their side, they're just soaking up heat and having a good time. (Ie sun basking)

Sun basking and dirt bathing: if they have their wings spread over their side, and are sleeping (they might be awake), they're just sun basking. Google it for further examples, it's cute! Dirt bathing is a bird cleaning its feathers. They might start doing a thing where they sit down, puff out their wings and scratch at the ground. If they do this while still inside, give them a bucket full of dirt, they'll love it!

Treats: do not give them treats unless its something soft like noodles. Other then that, do not give them treats until they're outside or have grit. They need rocks,or 'grit', to digest foods other then chick crumbles, so if you start giving them treats, give them a handful of dirt or wait until their older and outside. But we often give small chicks noodles and they do fine with it (and LOVE it!)

If you need any more info shoot me a PM or ask here ^^ I love helping

thanks a bunch...lol i am sooo unexperianced. Did not know...any of that I dont think.....XD anyways can they eat composed and stuff? and also what do you mean by crumbles....I am sooooo new to this XD...

My advice for you is only one word:
Research. backyardchickens.com is a great resource, and there's plenty of information online. Research is the most important thing when you're thinking of getting a new animal.

[Gà.]

Hi I am a town girl XD but none the less I am soon getting silkie chickens. i hope to get about 6 and was wondering how you guys insolate your chicken coops (I live in canada) but also what you feed chicks ect...thanks!

Food: medicated or non-medicated (depends if you get them vaccinated) until their about 3-4 months, then start to introduce some layer crumbles, when 5monthes + they can have all crumbles or pellets (for bantams you NEED crumble chick feed and NEED to grind it smaller, even they can't eat it as a normal crumble)

Water: keep it clean as possible, and dip their beaks in it when you get them. If your getting just hatchery chicks and have like 20, only dip 4-5 and the rest will get it

Bedding: straw is best, hay is good but pricey since its better quality (ie for eating), never use wood chips or spruce chips. One of them is deadly to chicks but I don't remember so... Just don't use chips ! XD another choice of bedding is the kind of stuff you use for like a rabbit... Errr.... Can't think of names..... But it'll be in the box if you buy from a food store (that sells chicks, that is)

Brooder: We use the big metal bins, but we also own a lot more chicks. A sturdy wooden box is good, you can use a box but you'll need to clean it often xD. If your only getting 3-4 chicks a small parrot cage will work.

Moving outside: they can move outside when their 2 months old, like completely, but can go and forage at any age. If its like 80-60 put constantly, they can live outside at a mere 2 weeks, so long as you have a heat lamp for colder days

Heat lamp: RED. USE RED. Do NOT use white, as it can cause them to pull out their feathers. If they're huddled together, they're too cold. If they're panting and spread out, they're too hot. Lift the heat lamp up and down accordingly to help. If they have their wings spread out and are laying on their side, they're just soaking up heat and having a good time. (Ie sun basking)

Sun basking and dirt bathing: if they have their wings spread over their side, and are sleeping (they might be awake), they're just sun basking. Google it for further examples, it's cute! Dirt bathing is a bird cleaning its feathers. They might start doing a thing where they sit down, puff out their wings and scratch at the ground. If they do this while still inside, give them a bucket full of dirt, they'll love it!

Treats: do not give them treats unless its something soft like noodles. Other then that, do not give them treats until they're outside or have grit. They need rocks,or 'grit', to digest foods other then chick crumbles, so if you start giving them treats, give them a handful of dirt or wait until their older and outside. But we often give small chicks noodles and they do fine with it (and LOVE it!)

If you need any more info shoot me a PM or ask here ^^ I love helping

thanks a bunch...lol i am sooo unexperianced. Did not know...any of that I dont think.....XD anyways can they eat composed and stuff? and also what do you mean by crumbles....I am sooooo new to this XD...

Yes head to BYC, their very helpful (I'm over there too, lol)

Crumbles is just crumbled chicken food, vs pellets which are just little pellets, lol.
Chickens LOVE to scratch in compost, but don't like bring it inside for them xD just if you have a compost pile they'd love to scratch in it ^^

[gumboots99]

lol ok thanks and yes I also have BYC XD. Can different tpes of chickens be together? we wanted a couple silkies but also some laying hens. but not two coops.

[Gà.]

lol ok thanks and yes I also have BYC XD. Can different tpes of chickens be together? we wanted a couple silkies but also some laying hens. but not two coops.

Yes but if you get silkies be careful with what other breeds you get, silkies are very timid and don't mix well with other types of dominant chickens

[gumboots99]

...ok will try lol may be a problem