1 week old...still worrying

[seafood]

First week has gone well. Only 1 of 10 is still struggeling with PB problems. They are growing like crazy, roosting and really starting to "stretch their wings".

For the first week we had them up in our laundry room in a 16" x 32" cardboard box. Nothing but paper towels. Everyone seemed very happy.

Last night, at 8 days we moved them down to the basement into the 3'x5' brooder box. We introduced pine chips and all they do is eat it. I know the theory of holding off on pine chips until they know what their food is....I thought 8 days would be enough??? How worried should I be?

Second. The box is bigger, basement is colder and they are really staying much closer to the heat lamp than they did before. My guess is that they are chilly...but cant get the light any closer than it is.

They were all alive this morning after their first night down there so I am guessing things will be ok.

Just stressing a bit.

 

[Cetawin]

I would not worry about them eating the pine shavings if there is food readily available. They will pick it up and check it out or play with it though. My girls have been on pine shavings since day 1 and are doing fine. If they are huddling together near the heat lamp, you need to find someway to get that lamp closer or add warmth around the brooder because they are chilly.

Good luck with them.

 

[seafood]

Dont everyone respond at once! If too many people reply to my questions we might jam up the message board.

 

[LynneP]

I'm wondering if you can 'hoard the heat' by putting a fireproof container like Lynn did under the brooder lamp. Her post is somewhere in this thread.

Hers looks like a flower pot with an opening for the chicks, the top is cut away and the heat collects in the pot so the chicks can enter and get warmer...

Ah.. Here it is:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=40957