Are you a new chick owner? This is for you. Chicks thrive in ideal conditions, so consider these tips for getting started: Please keep chicks inside or in an enclosed area to protect against predators.

Heat: Suspend a warm bulb about a foot above the brooder floor for warmth – and have a second bulb on hand in case one burns out. Keep temps in the brooder about 90-95 degrees F for the first week, decreasing about 5 degrees per week. Raise the light as chicks grow. Be sure chicks can move away from the light if they become too warm.
Environment: Be sure your brooder is big enough so your chicks can move about comfortably. Keep it out of drafts. Stock tanks, plastic tubs and homemade brooders are a few good options. Do not allow the brooder to become wet or damp. Use wire mesh or light grating to cover top to prevent pets or children from getting in and keep chicks from getting out. Never close up the top, they need ventilation and fresh air.
Bedding: Pine wood shavings are ideal, large flake is best. Avoid straw, hay and newspaper as these become slippery for chicks and trap moisture. Clean bedding daily.
Water: Be sure clean, fresh water is always available. Dip chick beaks into water and let them drink before introducing feed. Elevating the waterer on a wooden block a couple inches off the floor will help it stay clean and prevent bedding from contaminating it.
Feed: Place feeder on a block of wood to elevate above the brooder floor and shavings. Have chick starter feed available 24/7. Your chicks will eat just what they need. We recommend Purina Medicated Start N Grow, this feed has an additive that prevents Coccidia.
HOW TO BUILD A BROODER AT HOME
HERE ARE SOME LINKS

https://www.fresheggsdaily.blog/2013/02/easy-diy-chick-brooder-box.html

https://morningchores.com/diy-chicken-brooders/

Special Orders, Policies and Procedures

Special Orders

ALL special orders for chickens are PRE-PAID!

A Pre-Paid Chicken Special Order form (yellow) will be filled out and completed by an employee, paid either in person or over the phone. When chicks arrive the Special order chicks will be put on hold. Customer will be called when chicks
arrive. The customer has 24 hours to pick up chicks. If chicks are not picked up within 24 hours, the hold will be released and chicks will be sold to first come first served. Customers can wait for another delivery of chicks or receive a refund for the chicks purchased.

This policy allows our coops to clear out between orders and
chicks get the best of care in our brooder.

Special Request

We can special order rare birds, which includes, chickens, ducks, guineas, geese, turkeys. During the season we will order common chickens, ducks, guineas and turkey. If you have a special request of a rare breed bird that we can buy from our hatcheries, there will be a minimum order and charges will apply. Arrivals will depend on the hatchery, availability, and if other customers also request these rare birds. Let us know what you are looking for, yet we don't guarantee we can deliver your request. Ask an employee to fill out a Request Chicken Special Order form (blue) for your request.

Chick Deliveries

Chicks usually arrive on Thursday in the AM. At times they
are delayed by weather or traffic conditions. These chicks come through the postal service and are picked up as soon as they arrive in Tallahassee. Please respect that the first hour is critical for these 1 day old chick. We must count chicks, get them into the coops and set them up with their first food and water. Special orders will be called when chicks are settled into the coop.

Handling Chicks

Our coops are not Self Serve.

Please ask for assistance when
purchasing chicks, you are welcome to open the coops and pick up chicks for inspections. Children MUST be accompanied by an adult when handling chicks. Please use hand sanitizer or wash hands after handling chicks. If there is a sold or hold sign on the coop, a number of these chicks are special orders (pre-paid) and are not for sale.

NO Refunds

We DO NOT REFUND dead or sick chicks! Live animals are your responsibility once you take them from the store. Inspect your chicks before purchase, if chicks do not appear healthy please tell an employee.

Who is the Blogger?

My name is Anice Taylor-Maloy, I am the Woodville Ace Hardware
Chicken Blogger. I began my employment at Woodville Ace in November 2011 as Sales Associate and Master Gardner in our garden center. My experience with farming, gardening, keeping chickens and ducks (and many other farm animals) evolved into me becoming the” Chicken Lady” and yes, sometimes I am “Crazy”. As a Permaculture Designer and instructor, my experiences have led me on many adventure into utilizing animals into our daily lives and backyard farming. I don’t consider myself a chicken expert, but I have learned a lot, I do love to share my knowledge and experience. I am always the student, always learning, always researching and really enjoy blogging. My blogging experience began in 2011, when I traveled to Nova Scotia and Quebec, Canada to study Permaculture. I hope you enjoy the Woodville Ace Chicken Blog. I am always open to feed back or
comments, you may contact me at 850-421-9000. Thank You for reading.

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Monday, January 25, 2021

STARTING OFF RIGHT WITH BABY CHICKS

Are you a new chick owner? This is for you. Chicks thrive in ideal conditions, so consider these tips for getting started: Please keep chicks inside or in an enclosed area to protect against predators.