A newbie diary—CRISIS MODE!

[Orpingtons Mom]

So it's C-Day, minus one. Actually, make that C-Day (chick day) minus 19 hours.

So, it's TIME to get REALLY REALLY REALLY serious about The Box—soon to be The Brooder. It's not quite the last minute, but it IS getting close. SO! The operating theatre is prepared and OMom (the surgeon) prepared for the 15 minute operation.

It's only going to take that long ... right? Right? RIGHT? Well, surprise. Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. What was I thinking? Too ambitious, once again.

VERY important first lesson learned in the last 30 minutes: do not use a reciprocating saw to cut a hole in a plastic lid. It doesn't work...I'm surprised I didn't lose a leg, mid-thigh. (I can hear all you guys' raucous laughter from here. Hey, you think it's so funny? Get over here and help me...)

Very important second lesson learned in the subsequent 15 minutes: the plastic lid is BRITTLE. It may crack...where you didn't want it to crack. *major, industrial strength sigh*. So... how in the heck am I going to cut a square hole in this darned lid? Hmmmm. Hmmmm. Well...maybe I can use a pair of wire cutters. Ok. Cracking on making all these little tiny cuts... but it's shaping up...looking a little rough, but it's better than the reciprocating saw.

WAIT WAIT WAIT! Eureka! A box cutter/razorblade thingie works like a charm!!!

And VOILA! A lovely (ok ... LIE to me already) square cut in the lid!

Stage two now underway: the holes to secure the hardware cloth. By the way, does anyone else think that is just the strangest name for a wire grid? Hardware cloth? I was expecting something soft ... ha-ha-ha. It's haw-rrib-ul (<-think Arnold Schwarzenegger in Kindergarden Cop.)

More later on today ... when I've tackled the combination wire cutters (after the lid I'm pretty good at them) Ryobi screwdriver, and twist ties ... or maybe cable ties. Not sure which ... wish me luck. For God's sake, I need it!

Oh BUGGER. I can't find the Ryobi. RYOBI FOUND!!!

Hardware cloth cut to correct size. Before I continue, however, I think I'll take a break and do something a little easier to do. Clean the cat box.

 

[MomtoSyd&Emma]

he he he

I love to read your diary lol


we didnt use the lid for the lid, we made one out of wood and stapled the hardware cloth to that

 

[chickencrazymamahen]

 

[4theloveofhens]

Subscribed!!

LOVE your diary and will keep up with reading it! I will hopefully be a chick mother soon

if things work out alright, and will be going through the same things you are shortly! Couple questions - I've never heard of putting a stuffed animal with chicks? Is this a type of surrogate mother type of thing? I will be getting chicks from a feed store, so I'm in the process of coming up with a brooder as well. I'm thinking plastic bin, but on the other hand my chicks may have to reside outside because of my apartment living conditions and a testy landlord

Anyway, keep up the diary and can't wait to hear more!

 

[schellie69]

I hate saws, I can't wait until your next installment. welcome to the addiction called chickens

 

[AmberH]

Very cool. I can't wait to see what happens.

 

[Orpingtons Mom]

15 minutes! What on earth was I thinking??? 6 hours, and I'm not finished...but I'm getting close!!!

See you all tomorrow,...same place. Same station. I'm going to bed ...

 

[Choco Maran]

Dip there little beck right a way when you get them home, as they will be about two or three days old and need it. Love the post. I have also just built a brooder but mine was on a slightly larger scale. Got 53 chicks two weeks ago today. Good luck subcribed will be waiting for next post.

 

[kfchickenlady]

good stuff here, cant wait to see the pics of the peeps! (DWB mom, myself)

 

[Choco Maran]

where is are update???? What is happening???? Did you get the brooder finished????

when are the chicks due home???? Need in put. must survive