Storms and chickens

[Miriam Chook Lady]

Hi, thank you in advance for taking the time to reply to my question, I am completely new to this!

...We will be getting some little bantam Orpington chicks in a few days time (4wks old). We’ve got a Eglu Cube and a 3m run but I’m just wondering what else is needed to keep our little feathered friends happy and what will help them to settle in well? I’m absolutely new to the world of chickens but so excited!

...I would be so grateful for your wisdom and tips on anything I need to be thinking about in order to be prepared to help our new pets settle into their new home. 

For example: 

Will 4wk old chicks be okay to go straight into cube (we live in Australia and it is summer).

What do I feed 4 week old chicks?
 

What type of bedding material is needed inside the cube? Thank you!

 

[Cat tails]

In Europe 4 week olds really can’t go outside immediately. They should be kept in till about 8 weeks. Don’t know what temps you have over there, but young chicks can’t cope with heat either. Ask the breeder where he is keeping them till collection and maybe adapt to that. Same goed for feed. Ask the breeder what they are getting now. Normally you feed them chick crumb till they are a bit bigger.

As for bedding, they won’t use the nesting box for a few months. I use newspaper in the poop drawer, but another option is hemp bedding. Very similar to horse stall bedding. But keep in mind that wood shavings can go mouldy, so hemp works better.

4 week olds will have problems with using the ladder so maybe make a little ramp for them to use, if you are going to keep them outside.

[Miriam Chook Lady]

Thank you (Cat tails), that all makes much sense and is very helpful information. I’m so new to this! So if I keep them inside until they are about 8 weeks, will they still need a heat lamp so you think? What bedding should I put in the cage (?) I will keep indoors? What sort of water and food feeder is most suitable for 4wk old chicks? Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, most grateful. Miriam

[Cat tails]

Over here we have bedding called easychick. A type of fine hemp/wood mix that is very suitable. 

I never raised chicks, but @mullethunter will have loads of advice on keeping chicks indoors.

[Miriam Chook Lady]

Thank you!

[mullethunter]

Hmm. I guess it depends how warm it is at night where you are. Over here, if we had dry days around 20 degrees I would probably have them outdoors in a fully enclosed (to protect from predators and avoid escapes) run for most of the day but would definitely still be bringing them in at night. I would have a heat lamp on for them at night until they were 5 weeks old and then just have them indoors at night with a temperature of at least 17ish overnight. Mine usually go outside full time when they’re 6 weeks old as long as they’re well feathered.

If you had daytime temps of between 20 and high 20s and nighttime’s of over 18 (these aren’t prescriptive at all, just what I would do) then I’d probably be happy for them to be out at 4 weeks.

If they’re going straight into the Cube the roosting bars will be a problem for a good few weeks yet. I don’t know if you can take them out, but if you can’t then just put so much bedding in that it fills up the trays completely so it’s level with the top surfaces of the bars to give a flat, level, floor (hope that’s well enough explained). I agree with Cattails about the type of bedding and food.

The type of feeder and drinker aren’t mega important just try to get something simple that means the food and water don’t go absolutely everywhere!

Very exciting- make sure you post photos when the little fluff balls arrive 😁

[Miriam Chook Lady]

Mullethunter... excellent information and so incredibly helpful. Thank you! Will post some photos!!