some things I've been meaning to ask about...

[golfdiva]

I have a current post about a sick pullet, and this has reminded me about some things I've been meaning to ask. So I thought I'd start a new thread on them.

Here it goes:

Do baby chicks need grit?

Is it ok to keep baby chicks in the basement for 6 - 8 weeks or do they need get sun?

Do baby chicks need vitamins? If so, can I give them adult chicken vitamins?

How much coop/outdoor run room per adult standard chicken do you recommend?

And last and least (don't laugh! lol) which end of the egg comes out of the chicken first? The pointy end or the more rounded end?

[Neil E. Grassbaugh]

I have a current post about a sick pullet, and this has reminded me about some things I've been meaning to ask. So I thought I'd start a new thread on them.

Here it goes:

Do baby chicks need grit?
So long as they are on comercial granular or crumble type feed, no, they do not need it. If they are, or when they do consume things that need to be ground up in the gizzard then it is advisable for them to have grit. Things like blades of grass, whole grains, bigger seeds, stuff like that. But - it never hurts them to have grit, no matter what. I think it is best to supply them with appropriate size grit or access to stones. Like chicken soup - "it couidn't hoit." ? Bad funny considering we are talking about chickens.

Is it ok to keep baby chicks in the basement for 6 - 8 weeks or do they need get sun?
First off - why would you want to keep them in the basement for eight weeks?
There is nothing wrong with starting them in the basement but that soon becomes an unfavorable environment for them. They will also be degrading your environment after a certain point and eight weeks is well beyond that point.
If you want chcikens to thrive treat them like what they are - chickens. They are not housepets likeYorkshire Terriers.

Do baby chicks need vitamins? If so, can I give them adult chicken vitamins?
Sure they need vitamins. I wouldn't think that there is difference in some thing sold for adults or chicks. If you are using a good quality, fresh chick starter there is no need to supplement vitamins. But, like chicken soup.. . . .

How much coop/outdoor run room per adult standard chicken do you recommend?
In every case but where chickens are raised in an industrial setting - as much as possible. It depends on many factors; climate, size and type of bird, are they going to be show birds? etc. Indoor coop space will seldom need to be more than 4 sq' per bird. Outside - that is luxury. Give them as much as you can provide. They will use and enjoy it all.

And last and least (don't laugh! lol) which end of the egg comes out of the chicken first? The pointy end or the more rounded end?
The big rounded end. Since the egg tapers to the pointed end the you know what dosen't snap closed to fast.

That is a joke - now you can laugh.


This is waht happens to me when I am not at a poultry show and have to much beer on a Saturday afternoon.

[Evy]

This is waht happens to me when I am not at a poultry show and have to much beer on a Saturday afternoon.

You're even more fun or your typing gets bad ?

[golfdiva]

Thanks Neil.

I'm not treating them like a terrier ( my dog actually is outside most of the time!) Don't worry, my chickens aren't "pets", but I do have an *informal* flock! lol! I have chickens because I love their eggs and they are fun to watch! This is the third batch of chicks I have raised, and the first time one of them got sick. I'm trying to figure out if it's just one of those things, or if I did something wrong.

They are not completely feathered out yet, so if I did put them outside they would have to be in the coop in a pen, and I don't think that would be any more of a favorable environment. Also Evy mentioned the sick chick may have gotten sick from being on the ground too soon.