New baby silkies

bernie2703

In the Brooder
Sep 12, 2015
46
0
32
So i just bought three baby silkie and they are two weeks old and I was wondering if this place that I have them right now is fine.i also want to know how i ca take care of them.any help will do please help
 
400
 
I have them on pine shaving but the pine shaving are getting on their feathers.was it a mistake to put pine shavings?
 
Well a good book on raising chickens or a quick internet search will give you the basics, so I'm going to leave some of that info out. Just a few quick tips and then if you have specific questions, the board members are generally helpful and knowledgeable.

(1) Overheating a chick is just as bad as chilling one. Make sure the brooder is big enough so there is a good temperature gradient (cool side and warm side) so the chick can self-regulate. Preventing drafts are good, but don't turn your brooder into an oven by covering it up and impeding normal air flow.

(2) Put the waterer and feeder on the cold side of the brooder...chicks don't like hot water.

(3) It's amazing how fast chicks grow! They tend to double in size weekly for a while...the brooder that seemed more than adequate in the beginning, may be tight quarters after a few short weeks.

(4) Chicks who are being fed chick starter exclusively do not need grit. If you are going to introduce any other foods as treats (no more than 10% of their diet!), then they will need access to chick-sized grit beforehand to be able to grind their food properly in the gizzard for digestion.

(5) Keep a sharp eye out for "pasty butt" in these first days of brooding. A very common cause of PB is overheating.

(6) Stock your emergency kit now before you need it. As with all animals, chicks seem to pick the time to develop issues after all the stores are closed!
 
Your set up looks fine. I'd move the food and water closer to the door, but mostly just for my own convenience. The pine shavings on their feathers aren't a big deal either, they'll fall off as they move around or they'll pick them off.

Looks like you've got it covered :)
 
The pine shaving will fall right off. When they are big enough to go outside is when they manage to get themselves filthy!
 

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