Chicks for the first Time

[nab58]

I've been using strips of tin foil around the edges of my brooder(a large cardboard box) to keep the heat in. It's easy to attach and modify as needed.

 

[dennymeyrand]

Your lamps should be heating the brooder. What are you using to measure temp. Do your chicks act cold ( huddled together under the light)?

I have a thermometer on the floor of the brooder under the light. And yes, they were huddling this morning.

Is the brooder covered or open? Covering it might help but far enough away from the heat lamp!

I covered 75% of the top with plywood and added a third heat lamp. They were well scattered this morning when i fed and checked on them. I think i need a better thermometer would help too. I'm using a cheap one from the hatchery.

 

[kynewbchickie]

I have a thermometer on the floor of the brooder under the light. And yes, they were huddling this morning.
I covered 75% of the top with plywood and added a third heat lamp. They were well scattered this morning when i fed and checked on them. I think i need a better thermometer would help too. I'm using a cheap one from the hatchery.

Their temperature control is one of the biggest conditions on their health until they fully feather out. I hope you get this situation resolved. I still haven't seen if you've answered whether the brooder is outside or inside, and whether it's protected from drafts. Somewhere inside and free from drafts is going to be your best option in keeping their temperature regulated. You can get a decent thermometer from feed stores or even a small outdoor thermometer that will read down to around 70 degrees for pretty cheap.

 

[ashleyy]

Any "I wish I would've known that when I first started" tips? Haha. Our little fluffs just got here this morning, and up until this morning I felt so prepared. Any behaviors or anything that I should keep an eye out for? So far everything seems great, I'm just really nervous!

 

[kynewbchickie]

Any "I wish I would've known that when I first started" tips? Haha. Our little fluffs just got here this morning, and up until this morning I felt so prepared. Any behaviors or anything that I should keep an eye out for? So far everything seems great, I'm just really nervous!

You'll find that this forum is chock FULL of tips if you feel something is amiss - you can type in most "symptoms" in the search bar at the top, and pull up a list of threads that will be most beneficial should something come up. Shipped chicks tend to be more prone to "poopie butt" (called pasted-up) so DO keep your eyes on their little rear-ends.

Can't wait to see pictures of your new babies! Good luck

 

[kynewbchickie]

You'll find that this forum is chock FULL of tips if you feel something is amiss - you can type in most "symptoms" in the search bar at the top, and pull up a list of threads that will be most beneficial should something come up. Shipped chicks tend to be more prone to "poopie butt" (called pasted-up) so DO keep your eyes on their little rear-ends.

Can't wait to see pictures of your new babies! Good luck

Here's a link to a thread here at BYC of things you'd might like to keep on-hand, just to help you out.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...dy-and-essential-supplies-and-how-to-use-them

 

[dennymeyrand]

It is in my garage which is draft free. The top of my broader is 1/2" hardware cloth. I've since covered the have the chicks are in 2/3 of the way with a piece of plywood. I got them Tuesday and they seem to be doing ok.

 

[Jeanna Marie]

It is in my garage which is draft free. The top of my broader is 1/2" hardware cloth. I've since covered the have the chicks are in 2/3 of the way with a piece of plywood. I got them Tuesday and they seem to be doing ok.

Very nice brooder set up. You could be losing some heat ground level. It looks like you have quite a space at the bottom. Its hard to tell from that angle.

 

[Jeanna Marie]

Lets see some more pictures! Anyone got pics of their first brooders or coops? Of course chick pics are always great!

 

[Jeanna Marie]

She's a big girl now. Please excuse the mess in the background. I have the brooder in my office which I can never seem to keep cleaned/decluttered...