Tips on raising chicks

If you have decided to get some baby chicks from the local feed stores, you'll need to learn some basic care items so they grow to provide you with many fresh eggs in the coming years. Since they are only a few days to few weeks old, they will need to be kept warm. A lamp over their cage will help. Just remember to keep it high enough so as not to burn the babies and positioned so they will be able to go in the shade to cool off if they should get too hot. 

An old aquarium or other cage makes a good place for them to grow and mature before you put them in the coop outside. In a container with corners, you have to watch them so they don't congregate in the corners. That's why we sometimes see them in a round container in the feed stores. It helps them get oriented to where the food and water are. 

Our temperatures are still too cold for them since they need to be in a 95 degree environment at first. This temperature can be decreased by about 5 degrees after each week of growth. Newspapers are too slippery for the young chicks to maintain traction so it is best to put a piece of hardware cloth or screen over the newspaper.

This also helps with cleanup as you can lift the wire, shake and rinse it while tossing the newspaper. Place clean newspaper down before replacing the screen and you have a clean cage in a jiffy. Another option is putting topsoil down as this can be removed and put into a compost pile for your garden or flowerbeds.

It takes about six months before the chicks begin laying eggs and each winter they slow down on production. If you have an idea of how many eggs per week you are able to use, be sure to ask about the laying habits of the chicks you are buying. Choosing a variety of those that lay a couple of eggs a day and those that lay every other day and you will always have fresh eggs for you and your neighbors or friends.

If you have yard debris to burn, there are a few more weeks left in the general burn season. A permit is required, available from http://eastforkfire.org/Forms&Reports1.html.

If you prefer to call, their number is 782-9040 or 782-9044. Once approved, you will need to check in every day to see if it is go or no-go for burning. The winds in our area make it challenging to coordinate the burning and still be safe.

While on the Web site, www.eastforkfire.org, you will see information on ambulance subscription service. For only $75 per family per year, you can have the peace of mind that an injured or ill family member will be transported to the appropriate medical facility up to 75 miles away. This is separate from any other insurance and there is no deductible. The next enrollment period will begin July 1 so there is time to check into this important service.

Have a ramblin' good week.

Reach Gail Davis at 265-1947 or ruhenstrothramblings@yahoo.com