Okay...they're here. 1 day down, 55 more to go. My wonderful wife picked them up while I was at work. I had the feed and water ready so when she got home, our 6 y.o. took them from the box to the brooder (the largest Sterilite tote from Target, pine chips in the bottom, 250w heat lamp).
One chick was nearly DOA. The other were energetic, crawling all over everything, eating and drinking fine. This little guy though, eyes never opened, never really stood on his feet, kinda pushing himself around, kept making a motion like he was puking. Tried some sugar water, moistened some feed, etc. He lasted about 4 hours once we were home. Lesson learned - take the opportunity while at the supplier to check the chicks (I'll take a day off next time!)
I'm surprised at how close I have to get the heat lamp for them to quit bunching up under it. I have the brooder outside in their luxury mansion, down to about 40 in this part of Ohio tonight, 70s to 80s the rest of the week. 25 chicks have already gone through about 1.5 quarts of water since noon!
Plan to feed 24/7 through Friday and then start restricting. Will they go non-stop with the heat lamp, or will they sleep at night, or just intermitent?
One chick was nearly DOA. The other were energetic, crawling all over everything, eating and drinking fine. This little guy though, eyes never opened, never really stood on his feet, kinda pushing himself around, kept making a motion like he was puking. Tried some sugar water, moistened some feed, etc. He lasted about 4 hours once we were home. Lesson learned - take the opportunity while at the supplier to check the chicks (I'll take a day off next time!)
I'm surprised at how close I have to get the heat lamp for them to quit bunching up under it. I have the brooder outside in their luxury mansion, down to about 40 in this part of Ohio tonight, 70s to 80s the rest of the week. 25 chicks have already gone through about 1.5 quarts of water since noon!
Plan to feed 24/7 through Friday and then start restricting. Will they go non-stop with the heat lamp, or will they sleep at night, or just intermitent?