Raising Chickens for Eggs 101

I grew up in Minneapolis.  We had a postage-stamp sized yard that we mowed with a push mower.  Our garden was rhubarb growing along the side of the house  -  that was probably planted by a previous owner.  So, I have no experience raising chickens and I am in no way an expert on the subject.

 

 

We started the process by checking books out from the library.  I really liked the lay out of A Chicken in Every Yard.

 

Once we decided on the chickens we wanted, we placed our order with McMurray Hatchery.  Our chicken decision was based on kid-friendly, cold-weather durability, availability and a recommendation from experienced chicken raising friends.

 

Here's what we ordered and the price per chick:

 

4 - Buff Orpingtons @ $2.92 each

3 - Red Stars @ $3.17 each

3 - Silver Laced Wyandottes @ $3.35 each

1 - Package Quick Chick @ $3.95

1 - Package Gro-Gel Plus @ $3.90

Shipping was $9.72

 

There was a minimum order of 25 chicks, so we combined our order with some friends.  They ordered 10 Buff Orpingtons and 5 Turkens.  Also, McMurray Hatchery gave us one free Rare Exotic chick (that we think may be a rooster) and one extra free Buff Orpington.  When I placed the order, they asked if we wanted a free exotic chick and told us that they may add extra chicks to help keep the other chicks warm during shipping.

 

 

We were told that our order would be ready for shipping on March 16th with an expected arrival on March 18th or 19th.  We were concerned because we live in a small town and the post office is closed on the week-end.  However, everything went just fine.   I received an email on the morning of the 16th saying that our chick order had been shipped.  I decided to drive to our town and track down a postal carrier to find out how chicks are handled.  I found our postal carrier outside of the post office and she told me that the chicks would be kept warm until they arrived in our town and then the post office would call us to pick the chicks up.   While I was in town, though, I received a call from the Mankato Business Center saying that our chicks had arrived and that we could pick them up there.  Mankato is about 35 miles from our house, so after feeding the blossoms lunch, I drove to Mankato with Blossom #4 to get her chicks.

 

Twenty-seven chicks in that box!  We dropped 15 of the chicks off at our friend's house and then headed home.

 

 

It was a cold week-end, so we decided to have the chicks in our heated garage.  We made their home in a 2x3x3 box.  For the first 3 days we lined the box with newspapers and paper towels, and changed it daily.  On the fourth day, we put wood shavings down instead.  The chicks were able to walk around just fine on the wood shavings and it didn't get dirty quite so quickly.  The wood shavings did get in the watering dish, so we raised the water container up with a piece of foam so that the wood shavings wouldn't get in the water so easily.

 

The heating lamp was 18 inches above the chicks.  The chicks had enough room in the box to huddle under the lamp for warmth or spread out if they were too warm.

 

We bought Chick-go food from the local seed house, and placed it in the plastic lid for them to eat.  We gave them water in a plastic container made for chicks.  On the 3rd day we started adding Quik Chik, vitamins and electrolytes for poultry, to their water.  On this same day, we added Gro Gel Plus to the chick's food, but they seemed to eat around it, so it was kind of a waste.

We've had the chicks for 3 weeks now.  It's amazing to see how quickly they are turning from fuzzy chicks to feathery chickens.  One chick died yesterday, Cinnamon, and we're not sure why.

 

Have a great day!

Karin

 



Easter in the Country!

 The dining room was ready for guests.

 

Simple flowers decorated the tables.

There were 19 of us, so we set a table in the music room too.

 

 

 

 

Aunt Margaret always brings delicious fruit.

 

 

The moms ran around hiding eggs.

 

The kids anxiously awaited for the Easter Egg hunt to begin!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 It was cold outside, so we were glad to get inside.  Me with my sister in the middle and cousin Ann.

 



My cousin Chris aka our family photographer.

My aunt Anna Marie.

 

My mom and dad.

 

In addition to celebrating Easter, we also celebrated Blossom #1's upcoming 17th Birthday!

She baked a carrot cake to celebrate.

We measured Blossom #2.  Last year at Easter he was a smidge shorter than me.   He's definitely taller now!

We laughed at the book F in Exam!

Everyone got to see Blossom #4's chicks.

 

 

 

It was a wonder day!

 

Karin