03/24/2023
Good checklist
I'm sharing this because you should know what you're doing BEFORE you go home with live animals! You would not believe the questions you hear people asking as they're already holding a box of chicks destined to die at the hands of unknowledgeable owners. Although I believe you should be supporting local hatched birds for many reasons, I'm sharing this checklist to correct a few things & say this: If you are purchasing a new animal, that animal deserves to go to someone well prepared & ready. That means do your homework. These birds have already traveled & come from large hatcheries so they already have a ✅ against them. Locally hatched birds develop immunity from their parents who know how to thrive on our soils and landscape. This is an ad to get you spending 💲 in their stores so let's go over what is truly needed.
Heat lamp, yes. Extra bulbs too. Space, duh but it doesn't have to be fancy.
Bedding. I recommend peat moss over shavings & here's why....
Feeding. No matter what you choose to start your birds on, ditch the plastic feeders. Peat moss mimics dirt/soil so sprinkle feed of choice to immediately induce the natural desire to scratch & peck. This creates strong birds who know to forage instead of come to a feed bowl for their "fast food". That said, if you're starting with feed, purchase a non GMO crumble or go straight to real food in real form from seed blends or fodder, those meal worms are great too. Chicks born in the wild, learn from their mama hen how to survive & mom isn't feeding that bird a daily ration of corn & soy.
Water. I don't worry about clean everything. We use deep litter methods and rarely clean water bowls. A sanitary environment doesn't allow an immune system to build. I do add a dash of vinegar and probiotics to the water as well as give chicks milk or yogurt to naturally prevent coccidiosis.
What else am I missing?
