Over Preparing

   The chicks are hatching today, so that means not only am I excited, but really nervous. And when I am nervous, I over prepare. So, over the last couple months I have been doing just that. Over preparing.
   First I made a chart about some of the things to expect when we get the chicks. (Click to zoom in.)

   After that I looked up chick development in the egg. I wrote down what happened each day on a card. I figured out what day the incubation started (count back from hatch day). Then I read the card to my family each morning. This way we could all learn about chick development.

   Also, eight days before the hatch day I made cards about the breeds we are getting (eight days for eight breeds). (I had originally ordered five but, ordered three more after the first chickens passed away.)

   And of course... the brooder! We decided on a modified plastic bin because of its cheapness and ease to clean. We cut out the top and put in screen for ventilation. Then my Mom took me on a chicken shopping spree for the rest of the supplies we needed!

We had to put cardboard in the bottom to make it flat.

Then newspaper and paper towels went in.

   We got a 250 watt red light bulb. I am nervous about the heating but we tested it at the height shown and it was the right temperature. You can also see our thermometer in this picture. It was meant for brooders so it goes to the right temperature.

   Here is our chick feeder and water. The box is where we will put chick grit once they are old enough. (Chick grit is a course sand you give the chicks so they have something to break down their food with.)

   As I said, I over prepare. The chicks will be coming through the mail sometime this week. I can't wait!

Edit: When I first posted this I had a socialization chart. It basically said to leave them alone. I ended up ignoring the chart because D (see first post) told me that you should hold them as much as possible as soon as possible when you get them through the mail. This is what I ended up doing. I will let you know how it goes! 

Solutions

   So, on November 25, 2013 I ordered our new chicks! I ordered from My Pet Chicken. I chose this place because they could send as little as three chicks. Also they don't send "extra" chicks for warmth.

   I am getting five more chicks. One Australorp, one Easter Egger,  one Barnevelder, one Barred Rock, and one Welsummer.

   The hatch date is June 23, 2014. (Yes I know I ordered early. I just wanted to be positive I got the breeds I wanted on the date I wanted.) I chose a date this late so that I would be out of school and I could spend as much time as possible with the new fluff balls.

   However, the obstacles I discussed in my last post were still there. Here are the answers I found for them...

1. Space
We build a new coop! Or I should say my parents built a new coop. I hammered a few nails and painted a few things, but they did everything else! It is not finished yet but here are some pictures of it in construction.

                                                 
Don't worry our chickens are not as spoiled as it looks. They are only getting half of the building in the picture. The little red square in the bottom left is our old coop.

2. Pecking Order
I did some research on ways to integrate the new chickens into the old. There is not much I can do for this one but hopefully these tricks should help.

3. Roosters
We ordered sexed chicks. This is not a one hundred percent guarantee, but it should help our chances. 

   I can barely wait!                                                                       
                                                                                                                  

Obstacles

   Ever since my first set of chicks grew up, I have always fantasized about getting more. More cuteness, more fun, more eggs... but some things have always stood in the way.

1. Space
Our current coop is great. It gets the job done and it has all the basics. What it does not have, is space for more chickens.

2. Pecking Order
I am very worried about upsetting the balance in my flock. I know the pecking order does happen and must happen, but it just makes me sad. I just want them all to be friends (even if this is realistic or not).

3. Roosters
I am technically allowed to have roosters in my area. However, I do not think my neighbors would love a rooster as much as I would. Also, I am afraid of getting an aggressive roo.

   I am a rational person and have been able to keep my chick dreams down because of these reasons. But, then my Dad says something like "But remember the first chicks?". And of course I do remember and then... unexpected things happen.