Chicks arriving in 2 weeks! (Update: Finally here!)

[Kadu]

I asked them that same question chickenmomma16, because mine is on the 2nd too. They said anywhere from Saturday to Tuesday. I'm gonna call the post office Saturday morning, and warn them about the chicks. What do you think?
btw, this is their response to me.
"
They could arrive from Sat-Tues depending on the connections thru the postal system. If you think we need to cancel or change the arrival week for you please let us know.

-------------------------------------------------------------
Sincerely,
Murray McMurray Hatchery
"

 

[Kadu]

Yes! Please post pictures! There is no possible way I can put the chicks in the house. No Way. I am setting everything up in our barn hopefully tomorrow after work and I will post pics then of the setup. I told my boss (I work at a dairy goat farm) I have chicks coming and she ok'd me picking them as soon as I get the call

I don't think everyone understands what I meant by "out side". In the barn there is a small pedestrian size door that I was thinking about putting the brooding box next to and when they were old enough and the weather was decent out I could let them out in a small pen for a little bit at a time. It would be closed up in cold/poor weather, at night and if I was not home. It is not a drafty door. BUT as it turns out an immovable truck is in the way and I wouldn't have enough space to walk around it so the brooding box and the extra pen will have to be pushed to the back of the barn and everything will be inside the barn.


Edited to add:

About the dead chicks... I am expecting some dead chicks esp. this time of year unfortunately. I'm also staying optimistic, I keep telling myself that if someone was happy and had all chicks survive I would think they would be too busy taking care of them instead of posting how good their experience was. If a lot died then they might be more apt to post about it. Right? Right?

I think your set up will work just fine. Its the temperature that matters after all.

and YES, i think you're right! =D =D so its possibly rare that it happens... =D Lets be optimistic. haha

Let me know when you get yours!!!!!!!! We have the same shipping date... =D

 

[chickenmomma16]

FINALLY got most of the brooder set up.

Here are some (poor) pictures but it gives you an idea. Its a 4 x 8 box and the center will be removed once their most vulnerable stage has past and they will have access to the metal pen once they are big enough to NOT squeeze through the bars.

Critiques and suggestions are welcome.

There are some things I still need to add like a top and secure the metal pen.

 

[aart]

I'd use those fence panels to cover the top of the brooder, which is nice BTW, then you can set your heat lamp right on the metal mesh top.

 

[chickenmomma16]

I'd use those fence panels to cover the top of the brooder, which is nice BTW, then you can set your heat lamp right on the metal mesh top.

That is an AMAZING idea! (this is exactly why I continue to post stuff on BYC!)

I have some deer netting or small holed chicken wire I can maybe use later for the top? The metal pen on top idea will work for 4 +/- weeks then I have to figure out something else.

 

[aart]

Quote: If they are outside they should be kept in sturdy small mesh to protect from predators, 1/2" hardware cloth would be best.
You say your barn is secure....but......better safe than sorry.

By 4+ weeks 10 chicks in 4x8 will be pretty crowded.....do you have plans to partition off part of your coop to integrate the news chicks to the flock?

 

[chickenmomma16]

Quote: If they are outside they should be kept in sturdy small mesh to protect from predators, 1/2" hardware cloth would be best.
You say your barn is secure....but......better safe than sorry.

By 4+ weeks 10 chicks in 4x8 will be pretty crowded.....do you have plans to partition off part of your coop to integrate the news chicks to the flock?
Well, the mesh pen was supposed to be open by 4 weeks so that they had the box and the pen area (you can see in the pics I have plastic down that shavings were going to put on top) I do have a plan for integrating them into the flock. I'm not worried about the integration part just getting them there!

 

[chickenmomma16]

I set everything up last night and when I checked today the temps are way too low. I didn't even need to check with a thermometer its just too cold. I have a second heat lamp I will set up and I will cover part of the box the keep some of the heat in. I hope that will do it. Any other suggestions? The light bulb I got at the feed store seems lame. I was expecting it to put out more heat then it is. I already took back the first bulb I bought because it burned out in less then 5 seconds. Just my luck.






Edited to add:

My other option is throw my broody hen in there.

(don't worry I wouldn't do that to her) Can you imagine putting 25 chicks under her?

 

[outsidechic]

about the heat lamp (new here) you can get ones that heat up to 100 -120 degrees at pet stores, there marketed for reptiles but it all depends on how far away the heat source is from the creature it's is supposed to be heating up. so maybe you do need a higher wattage lightbulb. it there is a few feet down to heat up. I have little ones that heat up around 12" down and the temp is in the mid 90's the chicks I've raised with it seemed to be toasty, but i live is so. cal and only get a few nights of freezing temps.

 

[chickenmomma16]

about the heat lamp (new here) you can get ones that heat up to 100 -120 degrees at pet stores, there marketed for reptiles but it all depends on how far away the heat source is from the creature it's is supposed to be heating up. so maybe you do need a higher wattage lightbulb. it there is a few feet down to heat up. I have little ones that heat up around 12" down and the temp is in the mid 90's the chicks I've raised with it seemed to be toasty, but i live is so. cal and only get a few nights of freezing temps.

The heat lamp is only ~ 14 inches from the ground. I have a 6 inch spot directly under the lamp that is warm enough. It stays chilly here this time of year in WA 50's range in the morning and 40's range at night.