Question New chicks, when should I stop worrying? :)

[Rossman]

We acquired 14 chicks last Monday (6 cream legbar, 8 black copper marans). I was worried about so many things that could go wrong, but so far they all seem to be thriving. Lots of activity, eating, drinking, sleeping under their ecoglow20, singing and even some test flights/glides already. Our dog (labrador retriever) will lay beside their brooder and watch them for ages. They are still warming up to the idea of her.

So with that said, when am I mostly in the clear wrt to rearing them (ie. pasty butt etc)? I don't think this worrying is good for me

Cheers

[Happy]

Congrats!
Chicks are a lot stronger than I gave them credit for my first time around. Having said that I think there's always something to worry about lol. I have never had a chick get pasty butt under a brooder plate or with a broody hen so I wouldn't worry about that. I really feel like that's mostly an issue when they can't get out of the heat and it's too hot. I like to dig up a clump of sod to give my chicks if they don't have access to outside. It gives them a chance to get used to your outside environment and anything that may be in your soil. They usually react with fear at first but they are soon climbing and scratching and dusting. BTW it's in the rules to provide regular pics as they grow! Sounds like they are happy and healthy!

[Jaye]

I did have one with pasty butt under a brooder plate/electric hen, but that was probably because it didn't get "this is water; you need to drink it" when it was introduced, and I didn't follow up.

[Rossman]

BTW it's in the rules to provide regular pics as they grow!

Here's a video from when they first came home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hb3FB1wDIEg

I put some clean sand as a base they seemed to love poking and scratching in it. I've since moved them into a larger brooder (2' x 4' x-pen with the sides closed up) and they are zipping around like nobodies business. Got them a proper feeder and waterer as well

[Kbr42]

They are lots of fun to watch and interact with. Handle them lots, as they grow they will be friendlier. I always just watch for things out of the normal. Enjoy them

[Happy]

Very cute!

[Rossman]

Thanks @Happy @Kbr42 @Jaye , sounds like I don't have too much too worry about after all :) cheers!

[Killerbunny]

@Rossman lovely!

[Rossman]

Thanks @Killerbunny ! This is our first time raising chicks/chickens. My grandparents had laying hens when I was a young lad, but it was so long ago I don't remember too much aside from going to collect the eggs.

[Rossman]

Got a couple webcams so I can keep an eye on them :)