BYC Café

[ronott1]

Some really good "chicken minds" on this thread, so I have a question to toss out.

I'm getting chicks on Saturday. This time, I'm using a heat plate instead of a heat lamp, and the brooder will be in the mudroom. It will be near a south facing window. I've read that I need to leave a light on so that chicks can eat and drink as they need to, 24 hours a day, for a least the first few days.

My plan is: The first week, I'll have the light in the room on, 24/7. Then have a reading lamp on at night for 4 nights, and then just a night light for 3 nights. At two weeks old, just have natural daylight as it comes in the window.

How does that sound? Is full light 24/7 for a week too long/short?

I turn the night off at night when using a heat plate. It gets them into a natural rhythm and the seem to do better that way

 

[ronott1]

This is what I do for shipped chicks only. 3 nights with the lights on. Lights go off on the morning of the 4th day and they go to the heat plate with a natural dusk.

several years ago I picked up chicks from TSC for a person to raise until they were 6 weeks old. They did fine under the heat plate without lights.

Maybe it is a breed thing? These were very calm black sex links

 

[bruceha2000]

Neighbor Richard just hung his Marine and US flags at the end of his driveway. Miss Maggie Mae is now out there complaining about that.

Are you sure she wasn't very vocally expressing her approval?

She as also given up on her diabetes medicine and refuses to get labs and go to the Dr. anymore.

Oh my. Has she been checked for major depression? I can't imagine wanting to let diabetes destroy my life.

I've read that I need to leave a light on so that chicks can eat and drink as they need to, 24 hours a day, for a least the first few days.

And for another opinion ...
NO!!!!!
Other than my original 12 in 2012 who were raised the 'correct' way (heat lamp on 24x7, way too hot for 4 weeks) all my girls have been raised with a mama heating pad the first 1.5 days then into the barn with the MHP if I didn't have a broody hen.

They NEVER had 24x7 light. They figured out the food and water thing within an hour or less of being put in the brooder box in the house once retrieved from the PO.

Like any normal chicken they don't eat or drink at night ..... unless there is no night because there are lights on 24x7. You want loud chicks? Keep the lights on. You want chicks falling asleep where they stand at all hours of the day and night? Leave the lights on 24x7. You want happy healthy chicks? Let them live with natural day night cycles.

 

[pennyJo1960]

Morning Cafe.. Like the others Peeps need the light and night lets them get their clocks in sink

 

[DobieLover]

Good morning Cafe. Coffee is ready.
We've got a very nice day on deck. Clear blue skies and a high in the mid-60s.

CS has blown the last bit of family away from my mother. It's just the two of them down there and now she's going after the CAT! She wants it gone. My mom actually asked NS to take her!! It's truly unbelievable the lengths CS will go and my mother will allow to happen in her own house.

Anyway, my useless nephew moved in with my sister and her family. Her husband has been working on UN for years. With no results. Well now that the mental case has destroyed all normalcy in that house, he finally realized the situation he's put himself in by depending on someone else for his livelihood. His attitude and behaviors are starting to change. His equally useless "fiancé" is back down in SC with her family.

He has been applying for FULL TIME jobs. My company is hiring. I spoke with the Manufacturing manager (a friend of mine) and explained UNs issues. He told me to give him his resume. There are a lot of operations that require you to just sit and do the same thing over and over. You just need to do it correctly and efficiently. They will pay about what he is earning now but will have mandatory OT on Saturdays. He could literally work every Saturday if he wanted.

BUT, he's only worked in retail, never manufacturing. There is a lot more room for growth and skill development in MNFG. So I am bringing him in to the plant tonight through proper channels with a visitors badge to show him around so he isn't too shell shocked and intimidated by the place. I'd tried to get him to apply at the PCB shop but he never did. He said "I can't do what you do". Yes, but you wouldn't be hired in as an engineer.

The fact that he is anxious to come in for a look around and try to get an interview is a very good sign. For the first time since he came up here 10.5 years ago, I finally think the ship is finally turning. If he finally get's his act together, this will be the only silver lining on the CS cloud of destruction... well, there WAS the carrot cake! But it didn't last long.

 

[sourland]

Good morning, Cafe' - thanks DL. Hope springs eternal. Fingers crossed on UN.

 

[LaFleche]

Good afternoon everyone!

And thanks for the coffee, DL. It seems to me, your CS might have a cuckoo gene running wild...
Good luck with UN!

 

[Mtn Margie]

Good morning! Thanks for the coffee! We had a heavy frost and ice on the water in any container, yesterday morning. I would like a smidge of heat while we are putting in requests. It is sunny out there this AM.
Ron, I am sorry to hear that you are going through this. It is rough when a loved one doesn't want to get the medical help that can help them at least feel more comfortable.
DL, I hope UN rolls with his newfound sense of purpose!
I raise my chicks with no lights at night. How things would be "naturally" just makes for a better overall healthy start. I give them a good dose of probiotics if it is really cold/ snowy outside or I toss some dirt in with them if I get them when it is reasonable outside.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!

 

[bruceha2000]

I finally think the ship is finally turning.

Hopefully UN will turn into a NUN!

I would like a smidge of heat while we are putting in requests.

You can have some of our expected heat. It is supposed to ramp up to 90 by Monday. Way too early for that here! And we don't much care for it even when it is more normal like in July and August.

 

[ronott1]

Good morning! Thanks for the coffee! We had a heavy frost and ice on the water in any container, yesterday morning. I would like a smidge of heat while we are putting in requests. It is sunny out there this AM.
Ron, I am sorry to hear that you are going through this. It is rough when a loved one doesn't want to get the medical help that can help them at least feel more comfortable.
DL, I hope UN rolls with his newfound sense of purpose!
I raise my chicks with no lights at night. How things would be "naturally" just makes for a better overall healthy start. I give them a good dose of probiotics if it is really cold/ snowy outside or I toss some dirt in with them if I get them when it is reasonable outside.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!

Thanks!

It has been tough since Dec. When we were told that the storm was happening soon and to get cash and gas!