I have a maybe-non-issue that nevertheless is giving me fits. I will be receiving chicks in the mail in the next few days. I have 7 chicks 4 weeks old that are occupying the brooder I will need for the babies.
I figured it was a good time to introduce them to their new coop, so I set them up in the outdoor brooder with a heat lamp.
The problem is that they wouldn't shut up!
I watched them for a while. One would climb up the perch (a stick from the yard) until it was right under the heat lamp, then quiet down, while the others waited their turn, cheeping loudly.
Eventually the one closest to the lamp apparently got overheated, jumped down and went to the end of the line, while another took his place under the lamp.
I brought them back inside. Although there is no fire risk with a sand floor, having the light on all night isn't healthy for them. They've long since outgrown the chick heater, even at its highest position.
I'll take another look tomorrow and see what I can use as a heat source for them.
I figured it was a good time to introduce them to their new coop, so I set them up in the outdoor brooder with a heat lamp.
The problem is that they wouldn't shut up!
I watched them for a while. One would climb up the perch (a stick from the yard) until it was right under the heat lamp, then quiet down, while the others waited their turn, cheeping loudly.
Eventually the one closest to the lamp apparently got overheated, jumped down and went to the end of the line, while another took his place under the lamp.
I brought them back inside. Although there is no fire risk with a sand floor, having the light on all night isn't healthy for them. They've long since outgrown the chick heater, even at its highest position.
I'll take another look tomorrow and see what I can use as a heat source for them.