Currently in the tub

[Sparky1432]

Hello all, so I am VERY new to having chickens. My family and I decided to get some since I've always wanted them. Anyways. We just put our chickens in the coop yesturday since they have starting flying/fluttering around the house. However, it started pouring today and I rushed out to make sure there was no water getting in my coop. Sure enough there is. They are currently in my bath tub until hubby gets home because I'm NOT going to keep them in a wet/damp area. My question is, will they be okay in the tub? I gave them food, water, and heat but laid a towel down since they'll only he in there maybe another hour and dont want to lay bedding.

 

[aart]

I gave them food, water, and heat ....My question is, will they be okay in the tub?

Probably.....they may not stay in the tub tho

Where were they living before you put them in the coop?
How old are they?

Sorry about your leaky coop.
If you post the details, dimensions and pics, we may be able to help with that.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Sparky1432
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Sparky1432]

Probably.....they may not stay in the tub tho

Where were they living before you put them in the coop?
How old are they?

Sorry about your leaky coop.
If you post the details, dimensions and pics, we may be able to help with that.

Oh, and.... Welcome to BYC! @Sparky1432
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!
View attachment 2140147

When I 1st bought them, they were in a metal "tube" broader. I swapped them to the coup just a few days ago as they are 4 weeks old. They still have there heat lamp ect. They are now back in the brooder (no they DO NOT stay in) since we couldn't get it to stop leaking and I wont put them back in.

 

[aart]

metal "tube" broader

Have never heard of this.....could you post a pic?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Put a lid on it - the tub or the brooder. That'll keep them from zipping around. A window screen or scrap wire mesh will do.

Best of luck figuring out the rain issue!

 

[Sparky1432]

Have never heard of this.....could you post a pic?

I'm not really sure what to call it.

 

[Sparky1432]

Put a lid on it - the tub or the brooder. That'll keep them from zipping around. A window screen or scrap wire mesh will do.

Best of luck figuring out the rain issue!

Haha thanks! It's suppose to rain the next 5 days.

 

[aart]

I'm not really sure what to call it.

Oh, a 'tub'.
That tub is far too small for such a strong heat lamp.

Here's my notes on chick heat, hope something in there might help:
They need to be pretty warm (~85°-90F/30-32C)on the brooder floor right under the lamp and 10-20 degrees cooler at the other end of brooder) for the first day or two, especially if they have been shipped, until they get to eating, drinking and moving around well. But after that it's best to keep them as cool as possible for optimal feather growth and quicker acclimation to outside temps. A lot of chick illnesses are attributed to too warm of a brooder. I do think it's a good idea to use a thermometer on the floor of the brooder to check the temps, especially when new at brooding, later I still use it but more out of curiosity than need.

The best indicator of heat levels is to watch their behavior:
-If they are huddled/piled up right under the lamp and cheeping very loudly, they are too cold.
-If they are spread out on the absolute edges of the brooder as far from the lamp as possible, panting and/or cheeping very loudly, they are too hot.
-If they sleep around the edge of the lamp calmly just next to each other and spend time running all around the brooder they are juuuust right!

The lamp is best at one end of the brooder with food/water at the other cooler end of the brooder, so they can get away from the heat or be under it as needed. Wattage of 'heat' bulb depends on size of brooder and ambient temperature of room brooder is in. Regular incandescent bulbs can be used, you might not need a 'heat bulb'. If you do use a heat bulb make sure it's specifically for poultry, some heat bulbs for food have teflon coatings that can kill birds. You can get red colored incandescent bulbs at a reptile supply source. A dimmer extension cord is an excellent way to adjust the output of the bulb to change the heat without changing the height of the lamp.

 

[Sparky1432]

Thank you.