Finally! Baby Chicks! After 3 years of talking about it!

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

Told DH this morning that Ideal was not taking orders for chicks until May and I was not sure I wanted to wait until then since it would be getting hot.

DH went to Tractor Supply that just opened in our small town. They had chicks that had arrived this morning from the hatchery. He brought home 6 RIR chicks and what he called a brooder. It it like a rabbit hutch with wire sides...told him that was for when they were older.

I found a box right quick and our heat lamp; put down pine shaving and paper towels and put on our enclosed front porch. They are running around, eating, drinking and appear very happy. I sent DH to get a larger box and another thermometer that does not have mercury.

One little chick has red on his upper beak at her nose...it is not bleeding...the lower part of the beak it darker than the other chicks. Anything I need to check on?

Tess had to kiss each one.

She is 13 years old this month and LOVES babies of any kind. She even loved the kitty girls until they grew up.

Can not post photos right now. My computer is down and I'm using DH's which does not have software for downloading photos.

DH thinks they are so cute! Why has it taken me YEARS to get him to come around!

Reading as much as I can so I'm a good mamma! Can someone tell me what temp I need for day old chicks...TSC salesman said 90 degrees. At this time I have a 60 watt bulb in that smaller box and temp is close to 100 degrees. They seem to like it.

Peggy

 

[chicmom]

Your temp is fine! I suspend my light above the brooder, pointing it at one end. And the chicks will get real close underneath the light if it's not warm enough for them, or if it's a little too warm, they will go away from the light. And they will peep ALOT if they're cold.

99-100 is perfect to start, then each week you bring your light up a bit higher to make the temp five degrees cooler.....until they no longer need it.

Good luck! Enjoy!

Sharon

 

[Pet Duck Boy]

Congrats on the new chicks! 3 years, wow! Anyways, I'd say 100 degrees is too hot for them in IMO. I never use thermometers, I can tell if it's too hot by the behavior of my chicks. If they are huddled together, and are loud, they are cold. If they are far from eachother and are panting, they are hot. 90-95 is a good starting point, I used a 60 watt bulb placed close and raised it higher and higher each week to decrease the temp. You'll enjoy your RIRs, so far mine are very friendly!

 

[CrazyMomOf2]

I have quite a number of chicks that had a darker red color on the end of their beaks. The color has actually gotten darker each week, and they're now 4 weeks old. I don't think that it's anything to worry about.

Congrats on finally getting your chicks! I was so thrilled when I got mine too, and I'm with them more than my kids are!!! I can't get enough of them and could just sit with them all night watching them act goofy. They're at the stage now where a few of them will fly up to perch themselves on my shoulders like parrots! Have fun and enjoy these next few weeks with them!

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

My husband bought a 45 gallon blue Sterlite container so the chicks will have more room. I put 60 watt bulb in the heat lamp and it had the brooder at 90 degrees.

This afternoon we are having thunderstorms but at the moment sun is out and with the southern exposure our enclosed porch has warmed up so the box is now 95 degrees but they don't seem to mind. I just checked on them. They were sleeping but when we went out they began to cheep, run around, eating and drinking.

Seem very happy. What a relief!

DH thinks they are so cute

I think he is hooked!

Next goal=Blue Laced Red Wynadottes.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

Our kitty girls have a balcony seat to all the action. They sit in the window or on the table to watch all the action. Boo-Boo thus far is their most adoring fan.

GG is so preggy that she is not interested in much other than lying on the floor so she doesn't have to jump with that big belly!