Michigan - Page 3708  

Talking about brooders & temps, I had to shut my lamp off this afternoon also. The brooder is in the garage, we had all 3 garage doors open plus the 2 walkouts. When it gets cold at night it gets fairly cool & stays cool in there but with this early heatwave we also raised the lamp, even for the night.

Here's a pic of our brooder I was gonna post earlier....it's made out of a huge box. Base/bottom is 31x38, the taller section where we hang the lamp is 38in high and the shorter section is 22.

My 10 yr. old decorated it with the names of the new chicks.

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While I was working out in the yard this evening my DH & DS went fishing in Caseville and this what my DS got.

Quote:

Originally Posted by uchytil 
One hangs from a chain, so yeas and no - in a reflector, but can't change angle.  The other ste-up I have is my own design - a camear tripod with a reflector light hanging off a channel metal boom.  That one can be raised, swung, and angled.  It's just so hot outside a samller buld seems to provide enough heat right now, of course if the temps plunge we'll switch back to a higher wattage bulb.  last year it was colder and my 250W worked great.  This year someone turned up the heat?  All of our lilacs are almost ready to bloom - OMG!

 

I have both of my brooders in the house. The ambient temperature is 72 degrees. The ducklings were away from the lamp until I fed them some peas from the fridge. Now that they have eaten, they are near the lamp but not exactly under it. Meanwhile in the other brooder, the chicks are spread all over the place, even after snacking on the same cool veggies. I guess they decide for themselves where they are most comfortable.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbilly Hen 

My BR's get to free range today. I can't believe how big that boy is getting. I finally heard him crow about a week ago.

 

 

WOW! I love them! That rooster is super awesome!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hillbilly Hen 

Olive, you have discovered my ulterior motive for posting the pics  I am hoping for orders for Chickenstock.  I will keep posting. Tomorrow will be the German New Hampshires day out.

 I bought 3 "pullets" at TSC last week and if the chicks you'll be bringing are out of this flock then sign me up!! :)
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1muttsfan 

HH those beautiful barred rocks make me feel ... Hungry ... look at the drumsticks on those birds 

M Sue----> that brooder is adorable! :) 
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaZ 

I have both of my brooders in the house. The ambient temperature is 72 degrees. The ducklings were away from the lamp until I fed them some peas from the fridge. Now that they have eaten, they are near the lamp but not exactly under it. Meanwhile in the other brooder, the chicks are spread all over the place, even after snacking on the same cool veggies. I guess they decide for themselves where they are most comfortable.
 

 

Yep, that''s the way I play it - let them tell me if it's too hot and they all are wearing Ray-Bans, ha ha!  I like your idea of peas, I'm starting my ducks on peas this week.  Do you use frozen peas and thaw then out?  And do you give them grit?  Mine have had crumbles so far with an occasional pine chip...

Well...I think it might be safe to start playing in the yard for spring stuff. I'm convinced we'll get another cold spurt though. Haven't taken the snow blower attachment off the tractor yet just in case lol.  My daughter played with her spot babies today...here's a few pictures...

Taking them for a walk around the yard...

My broody hen is still sitting tight and let me know she doesn't appreciate me poking around underniegh her lol. My other birds are doing great and enjoying the weather. Going to fire up the bator again this weekend and have some eggs on order as well as my own. :)  Time for chicks chicks chicks!! :)

Skilled Trade Welders are in high demand out west...Wyoming, North & South Dakota (growing areas).....pay is good and even better if you're certified. These jobs are widely available out there.....great opportunity for the single guy but makes it tough on the ones who have to up root a family. 

Wow what a nice fat perch - yum

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.sue 

Skilled Trade Welders are in high demand out west...Wyoming, North & South Dakota (growing areas).....pay is good and even better if you're certified. These jobs are widely available out there.....great opportunity for the single guy but makes it tough on the ones who have to up root a family. 

Well don't tell him THAT!! 

Those crazy erection crew guys get anywhere from $20 to 28 an hour, plus vacation time and other benifits - if you can find the work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaZ 

Quote:

Originally Posted by uchytil 
One hangs from a chain, so yeas and no - in a reflector, but can't change angle.  The other ste-up I have is my own design - a camear tripod with a reflector light hanging off a channel metal boom.  That one can be raised, swung, and angled.  It's just so hot outside a samller buld seems to provide enough heat right now, of course if the temps plunge we'll switch back to a higher wattage bulb.  last year it was colder and my 250W worked great.  This year someone turned up the heat?  All of our lilacs are almost ready to bloom - OMG!

 

I have both of my brooders in the house. The ambient temperature is 72 degrees. The ducklings were away from the lamp until I fed them some peas from the fridge. Now that they have eaten, they are near the lamp but not exactly under it. Meanwhile in the other brooder, the chicks are spread all over the place, even after snacking on the same cool veggies. I guess they decide for themselves where they are most comfortable.
 

 

Well of course silly they have to get under the light to cook those  S  T  U  PID   cold peas ya gave em for dinner.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by uchytil 
Yep, that''s the way I play it - let them tell me if it's too hot and they all are wearing Ray-Bans, ha ha!  I like your idea of peas, I'm starting my ducks on peas this week.  Do you use frozen peas and thaw then out?  And do you give them grit?  Mine have had crumbles so far with an occasional pine chip...

Sun-glasses on ducks. I have to get a picture. 

I've been providing peas for a week or so, perhaps not a good idea for these little mallards as I want them to be wild when they grow up. I've been feeding them chick "grumble" and about 20% game bird feed mixed in. When I started them with the peas, I added a bowl of chick grit in case they needed it. I did the same for the other chicks as well. The ducks cleaned out the grit bowl while the chicks barely touched it. I guess Nature tells them what they need.