Are they eating the dirt?

[NatJ]

I think they're maybe between 1 1/2 and 2 weeks old? I got them on Saturday from the TSC bantam bin. They're my first chicks, so I'm not really great at guessing their actual age.

They would have hatched on Monday or Tuesday of that week (or possibly Wednesday, but that's less likely.)

Hatcheries follow a pretty consistent schedule, so the chicks get mailed early in the week and arrive before the weekend.

Based on the amount of feathers, they were less than a week old when you got them on that Saturday, not an extra week older.

So yes, they would be about 1 1/2 weeks old at the present time.

 

[ChickenChick46]

They would have hatched on Monday or Tuesday of that week (or possibly Wednesday, but that's less likely.)

Hatcheries follow a pretty consistent schedule, so the chicks get mailed early in the week and arrive before the weekend.

Based on the amount of feathers, they were less than a week old when you got them on that Saturday, not an extra week older.

So yes, they would be about 1 1/2 weeks old at the present time.

Thank you for that information! The lady at TSC (during the avian flu outbreak and sky-high egg prices) told us they get birds in on Wednesdays. At that point, they were sold out within a few hours. So that all tracks that they would have been less one week when we bought them.

I really appreciate your help!

 

[ChickenChick46]

I have no experience with bantams but I imagine they'll be absolutely fine for a while at those temps, so long as it's dry and they have shelter from any wind. My standards are rarely lucky enough to get weather as warm as 75F! They'll huddle together and peep loudly if they're cold.

Today is very overcast and cloudy, so I won't be bringing them out today. Possibly over the weekend, depending on whether we get rain.

I noticed them pecking a little bit on the side of the brooder, and I just didn't want them to get bored. I added the dirt, a stick they can inspect, and a seashell. I hope that helps, lol.

 

[kattabelly]

Today is very overcast and cloudy, so I won't be bringing them out today. Possibly over the weekend, depending on whether we get rain.

I noticed them pecking a little bit on the side of the brooder, and I just didn't want them to get bored. I added the dirt, a stick they can inspect, and a seashell. I hope that helps, lol.

If you have space, they'll probably love a little piece of wood or something to perch on (not sure how big a stick you gave them) and a couple of bits of clutter like small cardboard boxes to climb in/on/around.

 

[ChickenChick46]

If you have space, they'll probably love a little piece of wood or something to perch on (not sure how big a stick you gave them) and a couple of bits of clutter like small cardboard boxes to climb in/on/around.

The stick isn't all that big, but they do have a special chick roosting bar that they seem to enjoy. This is their current setup. They're in a 50-gallon tote, which o just bought yesterday to give them more space from the smaller tote they were in.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Be sure the lamp does not heat the entire tote, but that there is a cooler area they can get to if they get too warm. Are you checking them daily for pasty butt?

 

[thecatumbrella]

I noticed them pecking a little bit on the side of the brooder, and I just didn't want them to get bored. I added the dirt, a stick they can inspect, and a seashell. I hope that helps, lol.

Slap a couple stickers on the side. That gives mine something to tap on instead of each other.

Be careful with a heat lamp and plastic tote. Those things put out tons of heat and can cause the plastic to off-gass.

Be sure the lamp does not heat the entire tote, but that there is a cooler area they can get to if they get too warm. Are you checking them daily for pasty butt?

Yes, listen to Blue! This is also a concern, especially if you want to acclimate them to go outside by 3 weeks. I use a heat plate in my starter tote. It's much, much safer than a lamp. You set it to a little above back height. They come out to eat and drink, getting accustomed to room temperature. By 3 weeks, mine were making field trips that could last an hour or two, even at cooler temps.

 

[ChickenChick46]

Be sure the lamp does not heat the entire tote, but that there is a cooler area they can get to if they get too warm. Are you checking them daily for pasty butt?

That's my only complaint with using this tote- the lamp position. The other end is a bit cooler than the end with the lamp. I've got a thermometer in there that I'm moving between the 2 ends occasionally to monitor it.

But my husband is actually going to help me fashion a stand tonight for the lamp so I can control its angle better.

I am checking them twice a day for pasty butt. I wash and refill their water container in the morning and evening, and I check everyone both times.

Thank you for your tips!

 

[ChickenChick46]

Slap a couple stickers on the side. That gives mine something to tap on instead of each other.

Be careful with a heat lamp and plastic tote. Those things put out tons of heat and can cause the plastic to off-gass.

Yes, listen to Blue! This is also a concern, especially if you want to acclimate them to go outside by 3 weeks. I use a heat plate in my starter tote. It's much, much safer than a lamp. You set it to a little above back height. They come out to eat and drink, getting accustomed to room temperature. By 3 weeks, mine were making field trips that could last an hour or two, even at cooler temps.

All good to know! I may see if my husband will have time to grab a brooder plate to replace that lamp on his way home! Can I transition them straight to that and remove the lamp all at once?

 

[thecatumbrella]

All good to know! I may see if my husband will have time to grab a brooder plate to replace that lamp on his way home! Can I transition them straight to that and remove the lamp all at once?

Let the heat plate warm up for about an hour first before placing it in and removing the heat lamp. You'll need to "train" them... meaning, stuff them under it so they get the point. The legs are also adjustable, so you can make the front a little bit taller than the back. Like I said, I keep mine a hair above back height. You'll know you've got the height right when they go under quietly. If they're distress peeping, it's too high. If they won't settle, it's too low.

Honestly, it's good to have both a heat lamp and plate. Lamp can be good for freshly shipped chicks that are chilled, but the heat plate is the way to go long term. Mine wean themselves off around 5 weeks.