Baby Chicks - First Day on Grass

[lynnmelofarms]

We have raised a 'significant' number of chickens over the past three years and after a lot of disappointment with the brooder model we spent the last two years perfecting our 'First Day on Grass' approach to raising baby chicks. With the proper shelter and precautions we feel this approach improves survival rates, as well as develops the chicks foraging instincts. We have some additional information on primarily the shelters we use for this on our web site. Lynn @ Melo Farms

 

[rc4u]

grampa always made a hill of straw and made a center circle and put a burlap bag over top and then straw on top and the little cave kept them warm whenever they needed...always worked....jeff

 

[3riverschick]

grampa always made a hill of straw and made a center circle and put a burlap bag over top and then straw on top and the little cave kept them warm whenever they needed...always worked....jeff

trying to visualize this: so a hill of straw and then an indented circle in the middle.
Did he stretch the burlap over indented circle like a roof?
And then piled some straw on top the burlap "roof"?
Left an opening for the chicks to go in? Have I got it?
Thanks for sharing,
Karen

 

[gander007]

We have raised a 'significant' number of chickens over the past three years and after a lot of disappointment with the brooder model we spent the last two years perfecting our 'First Day on Grass' approach to raising baby chicks. With the proper shelter and precautions we feel this approach improves survival rates, as well as develops the chicks foraging instincts. We have some additional information on primarily the shelters we use for this on our web site. Lynn @ Melo Farms

Well first

Do you have any photos of your brooder idea at work ???

 

[rc4u]

yes Karen that is what he did....was no electricity in the coop....and they where just fine. in fact I don't think they got electricity till 1960...like many around the rural areas in ND...wasn't to many people per sq mile.....jeff