Last minute checklist

[newbrunswick]

Ok, my babies are coming on June 21 and I feel a little panicky on last minute preperations. I have read so many books that I feel dizzy. I have 40 meat birds and 20 layers. I will keep them inside for a couple of weeks while I finish completion of my coop. I have 3 small wading pools that I have fastened screen over to keep them inside the pool. I know the first few days I need to put down paper towels for their leg - do I also put down other nesting material with the paper towel? I still haven't figured out what nesting material I will use. When they are older, I will be using wood chips (I live in the woods and there are abundant supplies everywhere). I just can't figure this part out.

I will be putting the layers in the bottom part of the barn and the meat birds upstairs as they both eat different foods (thats why I am separating them). I know that the guys need less light then the layers, so I will be putting up curtains on the windows upstairs so that I can keep their lighting down.

I also know that I need to put the heat lamps up before I bring the babies home so that the temps are right. Anything else???

[cguardsman]

If i had it to do over again i would use the low dust type of bedding such as woody pet (which is what i use now). the pine shavings are very dusty but are effective.

[newbrunswick]

I haven't seen Wood Pet - where do you get it?

[sail2617]

I used a wading pool for my chicks with a chicken wire top and it worked great. I also used shredded paper when they were very little then after about the 1st week I changed to wood shavings. That worked fine and was easy to clean.
You need to have your waterers and feeders and electrolytes for the water if you're gonna use them and feed and it sounds like you're good to go.
Oh Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy,
They're gonna be soooo cute.
Good luck
Sail

[cguardsman]

woody pet i think is the name and i get it at Orschelins

[JamesC]

newbrunswick:
You likely won't find the brand names nor the same retail feed and supply stores in Canada as are mentioned by our US friends.
Just buy some good quality pine shavings, make sure they are dry. I put the birds on paper towels to begin with and sometime put the pine shavings under the towel so that after a week or two they are scratching the layer of towel away and getting used to the shavings. Chickens are funny and a sudden change from paper to shavings can stress them.
Buy chick grit and start giving that to them on the paper before they access the shavings, a few days after they start eating will do it. They will eat the smaller pieces of wood shavings and the grit will help that to move through their systems.

James

[newbrunswick]

James, you can buy pine shavings? I looked, but only found things for hamsters and stuff - i'm wondering if I'm looking in the wrong area. I live in the woods and there are lots of areas where they have cut down trees and I can get LOTS of wood chips. I was planning on using that when they get older and moved to the barn.

[JamesC]

newbrunswick:
I think you are looking in the wrong place. Your feed store will sell pine shavings in bales. What you are looking at is the pet section of the store where they sell very small bales for pet use. They are the same thing, just very expensive because they're a specialty item.
When you go in for feed just ask the clerk, everyone uses them so they will be available there.

James

[newbrunswick]

Thanks James - I will go back and get some.

[newbrunswick]

Just got a call that my chicks are going to be a week late - instead of June 21 it is now the 28th. :cry: Actually, I'm fine with that, it gives me another week to get everything finished. Does anyone know why would they be a week late?