My 25 Silkies arrived today from Ideal, and I just wanted to share my setup with others (and show off the chicks).
The brooder is an old reptile cage that I had to thoroughly clean since reptiles carry Salmonella. I laid it on its side and put straw in the bottom, then paper towels on top. I put molasses and ACV in the water and showed each chick how to drink before placing it in the brooder. The heat lamp is about 12inches from the chicks, and I think it's a little hot down there so I'll have to raise it. I ground up some of their feed in a food processor to make it a little finer, since they're bantams and were having a hard time with the large pieces. Added some grit in with their feed. Everyone is eating and drinking and so far healthy, though I'm waiting for the weaklings to show themselves.
Here are some photos...
26 sent, 1 DOA, 25 alive:

They think it's really funny to climb into their feeder:

Everyone getting a drink (we've had some decide baths would be fun, too):

There are 15 partridge, 7 white, and 3 buff:

This is the general setup, just a screen cage with plexiglass and cardboard draft guards:

Good luck with any of your own chicks
It really isn't too hard to brood, it's when they get too big for their brooder that you've got trouble!
The brooder is an old reptile cage that I had to thoroughly clean since reptiles carry Salmonella. I laid it on its side and put straw in the bottom, then paper towels on top. I put molasses and ACV in the water and showed each chick how to drink before placing it in the brooder. The heat lamp is about 12inches from the chicks, and I think it's a little hot down there so I'll have to raise it. I ground up some of their feed in a food processor to make it a little finer, since they're bantams and were having a hard time with the large pieces. Added some grit in with their feed. Everyone is eating and drinking and so far healthy, though I'm waiting for the weaklings to show themselves.
Here are some photos...
26 sent, 1 DOA, 25 alive:
They think it's really funny to climb into their feeder:
Everyone getting a drink (we've had some decide baths would be fun, too):
There are 15 partridge, 7 white, and 3 buff:
This is the general setup, just a screen cage with plexiglass and cardboard draft guards:
Good luck with any of your own chicks
