2018 Newbie Chat!

[Kiki]

I tried to make something up, but between trying to find a spot for another heat source/food/and water wasn’t really working.

Make sure you do not over heat them.
Over heating can cause problems too you know.
They are already three weeks old?

 

[PaigeAshbaugh]

Make sure you do not over heat them.
Over heating can cause problems too you know.
They are already three weeks old?

Yes mam. I have thermometers to make sure the temp is steady in the brooder.

 

[Kiki]

Yes mam. I have thermometers to make sure the temp is steady in the brooder.

They should be close to feathering in all the way and off the heat very soon.
What temp is the brooder?

 

[PaigeAshbaugh]

They should be close to feathering in all the way and off the heat very soon.
What temp is the brooder?

About 84-85 degrees

 

[Kiki]

About 84-85 degrees

For three weeks that is too hot, IMO.
Raise the lamp.

 

[5.3acredream]

Hi all! I have my very first chicks coming from Meyer Hatchery in early May. I hope they will start laying before winter but I am getting them a little late, but I reallly wanted the faverolle (it's just so cool looking) and they only had them beginning in May... Let's see, I have 2 Easter Eggers, 2 Welsummers, 1 Salmon Faverolle, and 1 Cream Legbar. Clearly, I'm looking for colorful eggs and friendly chickens.

I still need to build my coop (and fence my run), of which am using the plans for the Daisy Coop from Clean Coops. I'm a little overwhelmed since my carpentry experience is limited to the molding I installed in my new house, and the wood floors I put in but I hope with a little help from dear Dad, I can accomplish it!

As for brooding, I plan on having them in a closed off area of the basement (still has a small window for natural light) in a large box TBD, and I have a 6 setting heating pad that I will use like a mommy brooder. I have puppy pads (because my cat pees right IN FRONT of his litter box) that I'll use for a bit before they figure out shavings aren't food... I am so excited to get these little guys. I can hardly stand to wait!

 

[BBZZZZTT]

Awesome! Yeah my small mix is geared towards a variety of egg colors too.
I'm sure you'll figure out the carpentry. I didn't know anything at all and I built my coop with some free plans from hgtv that ended up being not super helpful. XD

 

[PNW_Peepers]

It’s been a few days since Ive posted on my chicks so here’s an update.
Had my first bad pasty butt this morning. It took me almost twenty minutes to clear the blockage and blow dry her back to normal. Poor thing nearly exploded after the blockage was removed. One of my chicks has been struggling with eating and drinking properly. Gave extra electrolytes and had to convert a small drinker into a feed dish for it (it just didn’t have the energy to use the feeder I had). She’s looking a bit better but not out of the woods yet. I’m going to pick up nutri drench today to have on hand. Welsummers are not as hardy as I had previously thought! They are so small to begin with that the shipping seems to have been more stressful for this breed as opposed to the other four breeds I got. The chicks are five days old now and I’ll be giving them their first treat of scrambled eggs and crushed garlic today. Wish me luck on this fun lil’ adventure.

 

[Kiki]

It’s been a few days since Ive posted on my chicks so here’s an update.
Had my first bad pasty butt this morning. It took me almost twenty minutes to clear the blockage and blow dry her back to normal. Poor thing nearly exploded after the blockage was removed. One of my chicks has been struggling with eating and drinking properly. Gave extra electrolytes and had to convert a small drinker into a feed dish for it (it just didn’t have the energy to use the feeder I had). She’s looking a bit better but not out of the woods yet. I’m going to pick up nutri drench today to have on hand. Welsummers are not as hardy as I had previously thought! They are so small to begin with that the shipping seems to have been more stressful for this breed as opposed to the other four breeds I got. The chicks are five days old now and I’ll be giving them their first treat of scrambled eggs and crushed garlic today. Wish me luck on this fun lil’ adventure.

You might want to pick up some Corid while you are at the feed store too.

Make sure your brooder is not too warm. Too warm can cause pasty butt problems too.

 

[PNW_Peepers]

You might want to pick up some Corid while you are at the feed store too.

Make sure your brooder is not too warm. Too warm can cause pasty butt problems too.

I have a Brinsea so no worries on the too warm side of things, they can self regulate as they need too. Thanks for the advice on the Corid I’ll pick that up as well, I’m slowly creating a chicken first aid.