1st hatch-when to take chickens out

[ChickenMitch]

I have taken the 5 chicks out and put them in a box with food & water. I have shavings in the box and a light on them? This being my first time I hope I am doing everything I should. What should the temperature be? I know it should decrease as the chicks get older, can someone guide me in the right direction?

Thanks again for all of your help, this has been great!! I am ready to incubate my next batch

 

[pbjmaker]

I would put paper towels over the shavings for the first couple of days or they will try and eat them. They say keep the brooder at 95 degrees the first week then decrease it 5 degrees per week, I personally go by the behavior of the chicks - if they are piling on top of each other and peeping loudly they are too cold. If they are on the far outskirts of the heat and panting they are too hot. They should be spread around an peeping a "contented" peep, eating drinking, etc. You will get the hang of judging their overall well being. It's like learning a newborn baby's different cries

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Agree with PBJ...put some papertowels over the shavings for the first week or so...until they learn the difference between food and shavings.

 

[ChickenMitch]

Chick update - ended up with 5 chicks - 3 Black Andalusian and 2 "I'm not sure" I will post pictures in the "What Breed am I". I had one in the incubator that peeped out but never got any further and my mom wouldn't let me help it out, she said let nature take it's course. I am going to try to put another dozen or so in this weekend, I have found out that incubating and hatching can be very addicting.

Thanks