My co-worker, who lives one street over, has been wanting to get some chickens for the last few months. She has begun working on the coop and run already. We "just so happened" to stop at the Feed and Seed store on Friday to see what they had as far as variety of chicks. Well, we left with seven-two Silver Wyandottes, three Buff Orpingtons. one Cuckoo Marans, and one little Silkie. I own two of the little Buffs. That is my contribution so far, along with doing all the research on here! We have a brooder box constructed from a Rubbermaid tote so far, but know they will outgrow it much faster than the person who sold them said they would. She told us we could use a regular 60W bulb in the brooder lamp, but as I am reading, I am thinking a red one would be better. The room they are in is quite warm. Do they need the 250W red bulb for such a small area in a warm room or a smaller wattage? I am going later today to get vitamins, etc to have on hand, just in case any illnesses show up. I want to make sure she has what she needs at her house. Between these chicks and the ones at my neighbor's house, I'm learning a lot! It has been a interesting few days off!
Welcome to the madness... there is an illness called CHICKEN MATHITIS.. highly contagious --especially where two or more chick lovers gather -- no treatment... Enjoy those little fuzzies Shelly
Your chicks will tell you whether they are too warm or cool with their behavior -- if they have enough room to move away from the heat, which they really need. An ordinary incandescent light bulb is probably plenty -- it's better than too much heat, which can be lethal fast. The red ones are designed for outdoor use, so that's a lot of heat unless outdoor temps are low. Red is nice because they seem calmer -- but not if it gets them too hot. In this heat in a warm room they probably won't need added heat at all after 2 or 3 weeks, if not sooner.
That is what we were thinking, too. We've actually moved the light up a little since it seemed too warm. Would love to come up with something to put their food in that is smaller than the feeder she got from the feed and seed. It is great, but between it and the water, a lot of room is taken up. Any suggestions?
Quote:Got to petsmart and get a 60w or 75w reptile red bulb. That's what I use. I find the 250w puts out way too much heat.
Remember though if you are going to depend on a thermometer to read your temperature--it will not read the infrared bulbs--so you will have to go with your gut and not the thermometer to tell you the "temp" and if it needs up or down... REPEAT infrared bulb does not read on a thermometer...makes it alittle harder for newbies--both human and chickie variety sometimes...LOL
l am your neighbor, we live near Simpsonville! Always glad to meet another local chicken lover. May I ask at what store you found the chicks? I have an 8 day old chick that was rejected my her mama and she needs a couple of friends. I am not taking a chick from the mama, and didn't know any feed stores locally had any left.
Quote:Travelers Rest Feed and Seed had these. She wasn't sure if she would have any after Saturday, but it is worth calling. Here is the number. 864-834-3462 I also have a neighbor with some chicks that are two weeks old that may be willing to sell one or two for a couple of dollars each. You just won't know if you have a rooster or not! My friend who has mine at her house, also knows someone with several chicks. They seem to be abundant! We have found out that Greenville and the upstate has a huge number of backyard chicken lovers. She found out when she went on the Urban Farm tour a few weeks ago. That was when the bug really hit!!
My 6 Buff Oprington chicks come in on Wednesday. I live in New Orleans, where temps during day are in the 90s, evening it gets to the 80s. So a timer and a 40-watt bulb should do the trick, soon enough they'll be able to live without need for heat. Is 40-watt to high? -Pete
