Hi all,
I received my chicks last weekend... all 26 of them! My fiance called me at work this morning to let me know that he noticed that some of the chicks had started pecking at each other.
I read some of the previous posts about pecking and I'm thinking that maybe my brooder is too small and they are crowded? I am currently using a kiddie pool surrounded with 3' high wire fencing. Without having actually measured the pool yet, I'm guessing that it is 3 or 4' diameter.
Do you think that this is the problem? If I increase the size of the brooder, would 5'x5' be sufficient or should I go 6'x6'?
If I need to increase the size, is it okay if I set up the fencing as a surround, and then put wood shavings directly on the cement floor? (brooder is in the garage) Or should I lay cardboard on the cement, then cover with shavings?
Since the weather is FINALLY starting to warm up, I'm hoping to have them in their coop in the next few weeks, just need to finish building it!
Thanks for your help!
Kelly
I received my chicks last weekend... all 26 of them! My fiance called me at work this morning to let me know that he noticed that some of the chicks had started pecking at each other.
I read some of the previous posts about pecking and I'm thinking that maybe my brooder is too small and they are crowded? I am currently using a kiddie pool surrounded with 3' high wire fencing. Without having actually measured the pool yet, I'm guessing that it is 3 or 4' diameter.
Do you think that this is the problem? If I increase the size of the brooder, would 5'x5' be sufficient or should I go 6'x6'?
If I need to increase the size, is it okay if I set up the fencing as a surround, and then put wood shavings directly on the cement floor? (brooder is in the garage) Or should I lay cardboard on the cement, then cover with shavings?
Since the weather is FINALLY starting to warm up, I'm hoping to have them in their coop in the next few weeks, just need to finish building it!
Thanks for your help!
Kelly