Hi Goodfood Happened to come upon your album and I think I'm neck in neck with your brood. My day old white Silkies just arrived two days ago. First time for me, no experience. Mine are in a brooder in our basement. Some things look the same, food and water, but I like your heat source. It looks like a long rectangle. The one photo looks like those yellow marshmallow peeps. I especially love your dog.
I am new to this as well. The heat source is a hover -old fashioned heating system. I found the idea for it here http://www.plamondon.com/brooder.shtml (from 1942!). It is good for about 250 chicks if it is 4ft X 4 ft. The only thing I don't like about it is that it is hard to see all the chicks at one time -to really keep an eye on how they are doing. I think with my next batch (coming June 12th). I will just use two 250 W bulbs.
Thanks for the info. This morning our 2nd batch of 15 chicks came in. 5 silver laced wyandotte, 5 easter egger, and 6 buff orpington. I have applied first aid to 2 chick so far for pasty butt. They say this can happen after shipping for a few days. Outside in the coop are 2 cinnamon queens and 2 barred rock. They are doing fine. I am learning fast. Good luck to you.
