Brooder pics and a couple questions

[lovingmyhens]

Chicks shipped, I would imagine they’ll arrive Wednesday since they’re coming from Missouri. I put the water on a paver and put the food container on a piece of cardboard so they can easily distinguish it from the pine shavings.

Question, I know to dip their beaks into the water and I’ll do that as I put them in the brooder, but will they just find the feed or should I also put them by the food when I put em in?
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From my experience, they will find the water and food without help. I’ve never done that and all my chicks have found the water very quickly. Within minutes of being put in the brooder.

 

[tinakevin]

I usually dip their beaks and show them the food.

 

[tinakevin]

I also put probiotics and electrolytes in their water for the first few days. Please make sure you check their butts for pasty butt every day.

 

[booth2010]

I also put probiotics and electrolytes in their water for the first few days. Please make sure you check their butts for pasty butt every day.

I didn’t get probiotics or electrolytes but I do plan to check the at least twice a day for pasty butt. I did read the apple cider vinegar in the water helps prevent it so if I see it I will try that.

 

[moniquem]

How exciting! I did put my water on a paver at first then up on a brick, don't forget to put marbles or some larger rocks in the waterer so they dont fall in and drown

I to used the MHP. I kept mine on medium for a week or two, then started lowering it. I also kept the window over the brooder opened all day and until about 10-11pm. I feel that they should get used to the lower temps at night and I think it made them feather in earlier.

By 4 weeks they were fully feathered and out they went, into their little coop along with the MHP. Boy was I happy to get my bathroom back...

 

[Melky]

I would use the sav a chick electrolytes in the water for first 5 days then once a week and times Of stress. They are not great eaters at first. Especially since it is so hot in your area. To hydrate them water for first couple hours after you dip beaks then offer starter or starter grower crumble. I had my brooder inside in my husbands office till they went out to chick house because my garage was too hot over a 100 degrees. This is all you need for now. Good job! They will not need anything else for couple weeks then you can offer chick grit. Have fun!

 

[booth2010]

I am going to get marbles or the glass fish tank pebbles today. I went ahead and bought electrolytes, they'll be here tomorrow and chicks will be here Thursday. I will keep the window open and if they seem like they are too hot during the day I will add a fan to help circulate air, it will not blow directly on them. I am going to try and set my sons iPad up to use it as a webcam while I'm at work, at least for this first week.

 

[Melky]

Sounds good. Webcam cool! I never thought to do that but work from home. The webcam footage should be so cute and hilarious.

 

[booth2010]

They have arrived!! I put the little glass things in the water and they’re all drinking. I got 10 instead of 8.

 

[tinakevin]

Yay!!! It’s always so exciting to get baby chicks. Enjoy them.