Recent content by plucker

  1. plucker

    Heat Lamp in a wooden brooder?

    You will be fine. A 75 watt bulb doesn't produce enough heat to ignite paper, let alone wood. I had a 250W heat bulb in my wooden brooder with no problems.
  2. plucker

    How long should I keep the chicks in their coop until allowed to free?

    I locked mine in the coop for 2-3 days to get them used to it. Then I let them out and they knew where home was. They've always gone in at night and when it rains without any problems. (Note: the coop has windows with hardware cloth and wood covers which I open in the morning and close at...
  3. plucker

    Sleeping outside

    Yeah, mine are about 7 weeks and are outside in the 30's. They are fine as long as they can get inside and pile together.
  4. plucker

    going to the coop

    I put ine out at 5-6 weeks and they're fine (no heat or light.) I put mine in the coop only for a few days before letting them out in the run and so they could see the coop as home. They go right back in now at night or during cold/rain. A light can be helpful if they don't go back in. I...
  5. plucker

    8 weeks old and lows in the 40's OK without heat in coop?

    My 6-7 weeks chicks have been outside in TN (similar weather) for about 10 days and they are doing great. I open the coop windows when the sun hits it and closed them after dark when they go inside. I introduced my chicks to the coop for about 3-4 days without letting them out into the run...
  6. plucker

    Roughly how long before I know if they are Roos??

    I got 6 chicks from TSC (supposedly all hens) but it appears 2 are roos. At 6 weeks 2 have very red combs while the 4 have muted combs. I guess 2 of 6 is better than a coin flip. Still not sure what to do with roos.
  7. plucker

    bedding

    Timothy hay should be fine. They can likely eat some it also. I have access to cheap wood chips so I use those.
  8. plucker

    They need lights?

    I just put a $2 solar patio light in the coop. It comes on when I shut the coop windows for the night. It is an old one so only lasts a couple hours after dark but seems to get them inside.
  9. plucker

    how to keep bedding out of water

    My water is on a double 2x4 so it's about 3.5" high and still gets bedding in it. There is no way to stop it in a brooder. Once they go out side I have a bucket with watering nipples which should stop this. For now I just change the water a couple times a day.
  10. plucker

    UPDATE on Page 2 - Storm Moving IN - WORRIED HELP

    Storm coming through here tonight too (Mid TN) so I moved the chicks back in the brooder. They have been in the coop with the ramp pulled up so they can't get out into the run (ramp pulls up to seal the outlet) but I was afraid that being in the new coop and the storm would freak them out so...
  11. plucker

    medicated water vs medicated feed

    TSC recommended medicated water (adding tetracycline to the water) which I have done. I have lost no chicks, had no illness and everyone is doing fine. Of course I am a 1st time chick owners so I have no basis for comparison but it seems worth the $5 paid. And I assume I can use this for...
  12. plucker

    What size coop???

    The math is simple. Just multiply # chicks by 4 (12 chick = 48 sqft) and then build a coop where length x width is than or bigger. 12 x 4 =48 16 x 3 = 48 more likely 6 x 8 = 48 7 x 7 = 49 5 x 10 =50 Same with the run 12 chicks x 10 = 120 sq ft 12 x 10 = 120 11x11 = 121 8x15 = 120 Sorry...
  13. plucker

    Dogs getting acquainted with chicks. What happened?

    As I posted earlier, one of my dogs has adopted the chicks and is VERY protective, going as far as attacking others who show any interest. It helped keep the bigger dogs, who are a little too interested, at bay. Now she's the only one who goes near. She sits on the porch and watches the pen...
  14. plucker

    What kind of chicks have fuzzy feet??

    I got Red Pullets from TSC and a couple have "fuzzy feet." I just assume it had to do with the molting process. Look's like they have big woolly socks on.
  15. plucker

    Letting Chicks Outside

    I was thinking that a solar light might work for this. May not last all night but would work at dusk to get the chickens inside the coop.
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