Bay Area BYCers!

[OrpingtonManor]

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so glad for your new babies!!

you know, many times people wonder why I like my chickens so much. They're pretty cool, it's true, but secretly, I think it's the chicken people that are the best!!

 

[SunnyDawn]

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They will both work just fine. I used a heating pad because I didn't want the lamp falling on the chicks or to have to worry about someone getting burnt when they touched it. I also liked that I could just remove the chicks easily without having to deal with a lamp. On the other hand a lamp's heat is a little easier to control. You can set it up on one side and if the chicks get too warm or cold they just move to the other side. I listened for clues to their comfort and had a cheap thermometer in the box as well but found they let me know right away if they weren't happy! If they all start cheeping loudly at once then something is not right.

I say all because you always get a loud one in the bunch that cheeps the whole time.
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Perfect! Yes they are naturally drawn to water wherever it is. They will find it as soon as they get a little thirsty. Have a great trip!

 

[jeremy]

You can always help them find the water too, use your finger to make some drops on your finger then bring that to their beaks, they should drink the droplets from your finger. Then show them that the water comes from the nipple. You might have to do it a couple times for them to get it, but as soon as one figures it out they all should be okay.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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Sorry. I think it's so cute that some folks think they need to do this. Don't be mad, I'll delete if this offends.

 

[jeremy]

I mostly do it because I think it's too cute!

The little babies run up to you and sip the water from your fingers, it's adorable!

Necessary though, I don't know.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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Well now, that's even sweeter!

You and my DH would get along real well! He is super sweet with our animals too.

 

[jeremy]

I just get hypnotized by all the fluffy cuteness... L0L. Once I look too long into their little eyes, I'm hooked. Before I knew that your entire house would get covered in pine dust I used to keep the brooder right next to my bed.

Thankfully I've learned and the chicks now live in the garage... I do have a chair out there though that has become pretty worn in.

 

[SunnyDawn]

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I kept my first incubator in the bedroom. I made it out of cardboard boxes and I didn't have a thermostat but I had a meat thermometer with an alarm when the temp reached what ever you set it for. DH kind of lost his sense of humor for a little bit when that alarm kept going off in the middle of the night. I got pretty good at lifting the lid with my toe until it cooled off though!

I had a great hatch from that homemade brooder!

 

[OrpingtonManor]

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I kept my first incubator in the bedroom. I made it out of cardboard boxes and I didn't have a thermostat but I had a meat thermometer with an alarm when the temp reached what ever you set it for. DH kind of lost his sense of humor for a little bit when that alarm kept going off in the middle of the night. I got pretty good at lifting the lid with my toe until it cooled off though!

I had a great hatch from that homemade brooder!

 

[dedicateddourly]

Hi Terry and those of you who might be interested.

The babies are doing great. Chirping, eating, drinking, sleeping. One even pecked the blue polish on my nails! I've since changed out the brooder bulb to a red 250W one since it's been so chilly here. Got the thermometer in the brooder just in case.

I can't believe they're so teeny. When I got my 3, they were supposedly 2 days old, but I don't remember them being THIS tiny. It'll be hard saying goodbye tomorrow