Well, in the spirit of procrastination, I didn't do everything that was supposed to be done, and let all the supplies set there. When the Post Office called this morning (BABIES ARRIVED--YAY!), I still hadn't set up a brooder because I couldn't find the right box. There was a box out in the garage though about 4 feet tall and about 20" square that held 5 galvanized cans, so just laid the box on its side and cut out one long side.
Not making it to the feed store, went to ACE Hardware where they had everything I needed.
As far as the heat lamp goes, I bought a 125-watt incandescent infrared bulb and typical clamp lamp, which seems to work great. They didn't have any red ones in that wattage.
It was only a 15-minute drive to the post office, and had the heater cranking on the drive back home, but they got to screeching and cut back on the heat. They sat out in the truck (in the shade and not hot today) for over an hour while I threw a brooder together.
Thanks for the advice on going lower wattage. Tripping circuit breakers and electrical fires scare me. I don't know the exact temperature, since they are just all over the place and don't seem to have a preference where to hang out.
I see a few of them snuggling together (only when they're sleeping), but when they're awake, there's no particular spot for them.
Right now, they are in a Jack&Jill bathroom, and just quietly chirping away. I've been checking on them about every 10 minutes for the last 6 hours for any heat issues or abnormal behavior. There is one that seemed to have pasty butt so I took it to the sink and gently cleaned it. I still see it trying to pick back there on occasion, so maybe it wasn't cleaned good enough.
The lower wattage seems to be working. They've been quietly chirping away and eating, and the only loud squawk in when one steps on another's head or back LOL! They have NO manners.
OH....I put a little radio in there so they can listen to the 24/7 Classical station at very low volume. I heard they like Classical and NPR radio! --BB
