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.
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...
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
Thanks for the reply. Yeah, mine seems to get restless after about 4 hours of dark. I'm slowly increasing the length of darkness every night so they'll be accustomed to it when they go outside. Didn't really think it was a problem. Just being an old mother hen (or rooster might be more gender...
I've been feeding my chicks treats since about week 2-3. Mainly finely chopped broccoli, carrots grass, etc (pureed in a food processor) with grit on the side. They love it and love me now too!
I figure they eat grass when I put them outside on warm days so how can this hurt.
I will add that...
I've been giving mine grit and treats since about 2 weeks. I don't give much for treats (pureed carrots, broccoli, and they eat grass and bugs while outside in their pen) but They love grit and I assume they need it since their diet is not just feed.
I do give 90% feed which they eat all day...
We've had record heat here in TN lately and so I do not need to use my IR lamp. But do chicks need or just do better with some light at night? Or should they be fine in the dark? They are 3 weeks+ old and live in a brooder in my sunroom.
Mine seem to sometime appreciate having the light on...
Mine are 3 weeks old or so and they get treats. I figured it they're going outside for short periods where they eat grass and bugs, treats should be okay. I make sure they have plenty of grit ($1.25 parakeet grit from Walmart) and they seem to be doing well. And they really like to see me...