Tag: chicks

When To Move Baby Chicks From The Brooder To Coop

  • What Age Is a Chick Fully Feathered & What Does That Mean?
  • Ideal Outdoor Temperature For Fully Feathered Chicks

The timing for moving chicks from a brooder to a coop depends on several factors. In general, chicks can be moved from the brooder to the coop when they are fully feathered, usually around 6-8 weeks of age. However, if you’re raising chicks in winter, they may need a heat source much longer, and in summer they may only need a heat source for a few weeks. You can determine the chicks’ comfort zone by their behavior. If the chicks are huddled together it’s most likely they’re cold. If some are eating, others active, and a few are resting, that’s a good indication they are quite comfortable.

What Does Fully Feathered Mean?

A fully feathered chick means its downy fluff has been replaced with real feathers. This usually occurs around 6-7 weeks of age, but not all breeds get their feathers at the same time. It’s better to observe the feathering process rather than the age of e bird. As a guideline, and in my opinion, when moving fully feathered chicks from the brooder to the coop, the ideal temperature would be around 65 -70 degrees. To achieve ideal climate conditions, the best time to start chicks is in Spring.

Fluffy down, feathers starting to appear
Fully feathered

Adjusting Temperature Control in the Brooder

An important reason for having temperature control on the brooder is that it not only keeps baby chicks warm but also to prepare them for cooler temperatures as they grow. Each week the temperature in the brooder should be lowered by 5 degrees. The rule of thumb is as follows:
Week 1: 95 degrees
Week 2: 90 degrees
Week 3: 85 degrees
Week 4: 80 degrees
Week 5: 75 degrees
Week 6: 70 degrees
Week 7: 65 degrees

If your birds are ready to be moved to their coop, happy moving day!

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Choosing the Right Feed For Chicks and Chickens

What The Labels Mean & Which One is Right for Your Birds

There are many brands to choose from, these randomly picked brands will give you an idea of what each feed type is for. I have fed all these brands and have been happy with them.

Starter / Grower Feed

Specifically formulated for baby chicks.
You will feed this all the way until the first egg.

Layer Pellets (I feed my hens this brand)

Layer Feed: This feed is for adult laying hens that are producing eggs. It usually contains higher levels of calcium and other nutrients to support egg production and shell formation. Also available in crumbles, either is suitable for your birds.

Broiler/ Meat Bird

This feed is formulated specifically for meat chickens, also known as broilers. It has higher levels of protein and energy to promote rapid weight gain and muscle development.
I mix this higher protein feed in my Silkies’ feed as they tend to need a bit more protein than other breeds.

Scratch Grains

Scratch grains are a mixture of grains such as corn, wheat, and barley, and are typically fed as a treat or supplement rather than as a complete feed. Scratch should not be the sole source of nutrition.

Organic Feed (Expensive)

Organic chicken feed is made from ingredients that are grown without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs).

Medicated Chick Starter

Medicated chicken feed that contains added antibiotics.
I use medicated feed for mail-order chicks for the first week after they arrive.

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The Black Star, AKA, Black Sex-Link

The Egg Laying Superstar

The Black Star, also known as a Black Sex-Link is produced by two separate breeds. The breeds are usually a Rhode Island Red or New Hampshire rooster mated with a Barred Plymouth Rock hen. The Black Star is known for its hardiness, excellent egg-laying ability, and attractive appearance.
Appearance:
The Black Star chicken is a medium-sized breed with a sleek and slender body. It has glossy, jet-black feathers that have a greenish sheen in certain lighting, giving it a striking appearance.
The feathers of the Black Star are typically black throughout the body. However, the hens may have occasional gold flecking on the breast area. The roosters will feather out somewhat like a Barred Rock.
The comb and wattles of the Black Star chicken are usually red, and the beak and legs are yellow. They have clean legs and four toes.
Sexing Chicks is Easy!
Females are all black.
Males have a white spot on their head.
Egg-Laying:
One of the main reasons why Black Star chickens are popular is their excellent egg-laying abilities. Hens of this breed are known to be prolific layers, with the potential to lay around 250-300 large brown eggs per year.
The “Black Star” is not a recognized or standardized breed of chicken. Instead, it is a name or trade name used by hatcheries or poultry producers to describe a specific type of chicken that has been selectively bred or crossbred to exhibit certain characteristics.

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