Anyone have tips on first night of baby chicks in brooder

[photosinpink]

I am currently researching before I commit to raising chickens (I'm pretty well sold), but one of my biggest concerns is the early weeks. My family is out of the house for 10 hours per day some days and I'm worried about leaving the chicks for that long. I could potentially be home for the first 4-5 days, and am always home 3-4 days per week, but the other days they'd be on their own.

Is this do-able, or should I keep looking for pullets?

 

[GibsonChicks4U]

It's do able I work over 40hrs a week 8to5 every day sometimes longer just make sure they have plenty of good and water

 

[blucoondawg]

just keep an eye on how fast they go through food and water and if necessary provide a second dish of each to hold them until you get home. Chicks don't need supervision, typically the light should be started out around 18" above the brooder floor to get the desired temp. I don't measure my temp I start the light out slightly lower and my brooder is quite large so the chicks can go for the heat or away if they want and I also don't put the food water dishes under the heat I keep them toward the outer edge of the heat source, kind of middle ground.

OP make sure that heat lamp cannot fall off of your dog crate, that is a sure way to burn your house down while you are away. I much prefer hanging my light from above this allows for a more fireproof method and also allows for raising and lowering the light to regulate heat.