Hatching and Raising Chicks at My Farm
It’s always so exciting when we have babies at the farm - this time, fluffy, little chicks.
As you know, I’ve been raising chickens for many years. Not only do I love keeping them for their fresh, delicious eggs, but I also enjoy learning about the different breeds and varieties. Seven healthy chicks recently hatched in my Winter House kitchen. After hatching in a special incubator, the chicks were carefully moved to a brooder located in my stable feed room. The box brooder by GQF Manufacturing, Inc. is specifically designed to provide adequate heat, fresh air, light, food, and water. The peeps will stay there for a few weeks until they are large enough to move down to the chicken coops.
Here are some photos of the youngest residents of Cantitoe Corners, enjoy.
-
- Here is my Brinsea incubator sitting on my kitchen counter. Eggs are brought up and placed in the incubator the day they are laid. Here, they will be safe from other birds and closely monitored until they hatch. Chicken eggs take 21-days. While the eggs incubate, they are automatically turned once a day, 45-degrees each way, back and forth during this period.
-
- Down at the stable, we set up some new equipment from GQF Manufacturing, Inc. in Savannah, Georgia – a company that specializes in game bird and poultry supplies.
-
- This box brooder was very easy to assemble and comes complete with a light, thermostat, heater, and three trough feeders/waterers.
-
- The box brooder measures 32-inches long by 38-inches wide by 12-inches tall – a protective and roomy enclosure for housing a good number of chicks for the first couple weeks.
-
- These panels make it easy to access and clean the interior as well as check on the peeps from above.
-
- There are three 28-inch troughs which may be used for either feed or water. The sides also have vented, transparent panels that make it easy to view the chicks from all angles.
-
- Here is the brooder set up to receive the chicks, which hatched just a few days ago.
-
- And here are seven baby chickens – healthy, happy, and very curious.
-
- These chicks hatched within hours of each other, which is good, so they are not lonely. They are already playing and interacting with one another.
-
- It is always nice to see such a strong and energetic group of babies. Chicks grow quickly, so it won’t be long before they move to the coops – usually after about four or five weeks.
-
- Baby chicks need constant monitoring until they are at least a month old. Here in the stable feed room, they are checked several times a day. This room is also free from drafts. Chicks require an air temperature of 95 degrees during the first week, 90 degrees the second week, and so on – going down by around five degrees per week until they’re ready to transition to the coop.
-
- This chick looks straight at the camera. Chickens have their own personalities – some are more active or more curious than others – and look at this chick’s big feet.
-
- We show each chick where their water and food are right away, so they know where to find it once they are able to walk around. The chicks are fed organic chick starter for the first six to eight weeks.
-
- On average, about 10-chicks can consume approximately one-pound of chick starter feed per day. A good chick starter feed will contain protein for weight gain and muscle development, plus vitamins and minerals to keep them healthy and to build their immune systems.
-
- There is always plenty of food and lots of fresh water for these youngsters – everything is replenished or changed whenever needed.
-
- Chickens are very vocal. They make around 30 different calls to communicate with each other, expressing everything from “I am hungry” to “there’s a predator nearby.” These chicks are already chirping quite a bit.
-
- All these chicks have clear eyes and are very alert – signs of good health.
-
- And, as with all babies, there’s a time to play, and a time to sleep. Six of the seven chicks are napping.
-
- A short time later, they are up and playing again. They are also starting to flutter their wings.
-
- Chickens have very good memories and can recognize up to 100 different human faces. Here at my farm, they will meet many visitors.
-
- I am so happy with this group of peeps – they are all strong good eaters, and will be a great addition to my flock.
-
- Meanwhile, back in my Winter House kitchen – a peachick, or baby peafowl. This youngster hatched just a few hours before this photo was taken. It will soon join the chicks in the brooder. I am looking forward to watching them all thrive here at Cantitoe Corners.
Martha Pins
Martha Tweets
