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I became a Farmer today!

When the phone rang before 7 AM, I knew... It's the Post Office, the chicks have arrived!

I convinced myself that the hatchery would ship on Monday so therefore the chicks certainly would not arrive until Tuesday or Wednesday, and I'd have all day Monday to set up. Didn't happen, ready or not, the chicks are HERE!

Luckily we had the required light, feed, bedding, drinker, and feeder but had not set up the brooder. By the time I got back from the Post office, Big D had the brooder set up. Chicks must stay at 100 to 95 degrees, the first week of life and that is only decreased by 5 degrees each week so those guys have to get warm fast. Since they have been in a shipment, they need to drink fast too.
We dunked each chick's beak in the drinker to teach them how to drink. I purchased half Banties and half full sized heritage chicks. Unfortunately, some of the banties did not make it, 3 were really weak and one was already gone in the box. For some reason I really like those fancy small chicks. Next time, I plan to find a much more local source for my baby chicks.