babies

[Armageddon]

Very Sweet!!!

 

[LynneP]

Congratulations! You're not going to want to go to work tomorrow, and it's supposed to snow, wouldn't it be *nice* to play with the chickies.
Healthy looking lot- Happy Valentines!

ps- paper towelling will work for quite a while. And isn't it fun that they use the perches? You'll have your initial pecking order in the first 2 weeks and I know you'll have lots of pics to keep track...

 

[Hillsvale]

so today... given the long arm of the cat (and his knocking to poor chicks off their perch) we decided that the dog crate wouldn't cut it, not to mention the difficulty keeping in the heat! So in tradition of my over the top self.... I decided to build a brooder box...

it is 53"x30" and 24" tall, the dimentions came from a palet that Simon brought home from the hardware store.... and so it began.

we added a "loft" mostly because of the advice I was given to train them to use a ramp while they are young..

and a perch...

Fun!

 

[LynneP]

What an excellent brooder, Shelley, and it will keep out one of these for sure

 

[speckledhen]

Congrats! They're actually called Columbian Plymouth Rock, not columbian barred. Barred is a different color of Plymouth Rock, like the rooster in my avatar. Should be lots of fun! You know, those Columbian Rocks are hard to find, at least in the United States!

 

[okfamilychicks]

Great looking brooder and you got it put together so quick! With my husband building one I'd be waiting for it this time next month...LOL. I'll have to show him the pics of yours and hint a little bit.

Jonna

 

[Hillsvale]

thanks Speckled hen.... Columbia Plymouth Rock, I'll fix that!

This guy had about 2 dozen different chickens, 8 or so variety of ducks, 3 or 4 varieties of geese.... pheasant, turkeys... it was insane!! Speckled sussex was one of my favorites..

It's ..... thanks, once I set my mind to something that is exactly what gets done plus I do it myslef and have my assistant spouse help. He was exceptional today...

I didn't have my camera later in the day but I went to the family room to see how Simon was making out cleaning up my mess (he's the cleaner

)... and he and two of the dogs were laying on the floor watching chicken TV. Too cute for words.

 

[speckledhen]

I do really, really like your brooder! I need to build one in my basement that is larger than the 2'x3' one they are in now in the livingroom.

 

[snowhorse]

Quote:
I love your brooder!!! I want to build one and have been looking for a design I love. I may just have to copy you!

 

[Hillsvale]

we found ourselves watching the chicks more (TV) than the movie we bought..., there is also a glass panel on top to spy on them.

Babies seemed perfect this morning, they were close to each other but not huddled up so I believe the temperature to be perfect for them right now... the 250 watt brooder light is 24" above them heeding the warnings on the fixture (funny, the books I have say to put it as low as 12" about the bottom... I would have thought that would be dangerous)

One thing no one warned me on is that when the babies fall asleep its like the fainted right on the spot, I thought they were dead!

... the bossier of the four actually got onto the perch which is about 2.5: above the floor... when it fell asleep its rear end was on the perch and its head was on the shavings on the floor..

We put the brooder in the lower family room and is put together with screws so is completely collapsible, and some day it may be! lol... I have a strange feeling we may end up hatching our own.