First day and SOOOOO many questions, LOL

[Ilovemychicks08]

So as I posted earlier in another thread, got my first ever order of chicks today. So far so good, but do have questions. Thought about adding to my other thread but decided better to start a new one specifically for questions/answers. Will repost a few pics.

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I got 10 chicks, all are supposed to be female. Five are ISA browns (which I believe are the "gold" colored ones), and five that are unknown colored eggers. They listed eight possible breeds for the other five. Based on the "chick identification" pics posted on the hatchery website I have ruled out all the Marans and the Sapphire Olive Eggers because they all look black in the pics. So I am pretty sure they are one of the following:
* Americana
* Prairie Bluebell Egger
* Olive Egger
* Starlight Olive Egger

Guesses welcome. Will try to post better pics of those five in a little while.

Questions:
1) If they are "quiet" does that mean they are happy and comfortable? There always seem to be a few out wandering around eating/drinking that are peeping a little, but the ones under the MHP are quiet.
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2) Ambient Temperatures: In the shed it will probability range between 55-85 over the next week. Is that warm enough to only need the MFP, or will I sometimes need a heat lamp to keep the room a little warmer?

3) MHP Temperature: If I put the thermometer probe (commercial digital refrigeration thermometer) touching the MHP it is around 105-110. Lay it on the ground underneath and it is between 90-95 so far. That's about right isn't it? Here are pics of the MHP.
View attachment 3064359

View attachment 3064365

4) They have already pooped in their water (of course LOL). Do I need to rush to clean that out? Or only once a day? I only put about 1/2 gallon in it, with a little apple cider vinegar, since I figured it would get dirty.

5) Should I put shavings under the pee pads for a little more insulation/cushioning underneath? I planned on using the pads for about a week to make it easier to clean and keep them from eating shavings too soon.

6) Should I use hand sanitizer every time I handle them? I think I should, my DH rolls his eyes at me.

And I'm sure I will have more later.

1. I dont have a clue on the breeds.

2. If the chicks arent chirping loudly you shouldnt need a heat lamp.

3. Try to clean there water often. I cleaned mine every 30 mins at first. Now i clean it every 1-2hours.

4. I wash my hands before and after i handle mine. Try to atleast wash after.

 

[rosemarythyme]

1) If they are "quiet" does that mean they are happy and comfortable?

Yes.

2) Ambient Temperatures: In the shed it will probability range between 55-85 over the next week. Is that warm enough to only need the MFP, or will I sometimes need a heat lamp to keep the room a little warmer?

3) MHP Temperature: If I put the thermometer probe (commercial digital refrigeration thermometer) touching the MHP it is around 105-110. Lay it on the ground underneath and it is between 90-95 so far. That's about right isn't it? Here are pics of the MHP.

Yes that's warm enough for a MHP, I use mine in a temperature range of 45-65 or so. I don't have a thermometer at all, so I use my hand to check the heat. If it's hot but not so hot you can't comfortably put your hand on it, that should be enough.

4) They have already pooped in their water (of course LOL). Do I need to rush to clean that out? Or only once a day? I only put about 1/2 gallon in it, with a little apple cider vinegar, since I figured it would get dirty.

I would clean it if you see it's soiled.

Elevate the waterer, I rarely have chicks pooping in mine. I put mine on a scrap piece of wood so they're a little less able to kick shavings into it as well.

5) Should I put shavings under the pee pads for a little more insulation/cushioning underneath? I planned on using the pads for about a week to make it easier to clean and keep them from eating shavings too soon.

I would, but I don't know if you need to. I do like to build up bedding under the heating pad so they can snuggle in.

6) Should I use hand sanitizer every time I handle them? I think I should, my DH rolls his eyes at me.

Use soap and water. If you have kids, insist they follow that as well. Sanitizers are rarely used properly and don't get rid of surface dirt either.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

Thanks for the info. Looks like the first night went well. The MHP may have been a little warm or too low as most of them were on top of it this morning. But it was also in the low 70s F. When I Walked in and turn on the light they all started peeping and ran to the food and water.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

So as I posted earlier in another thread, got my first ever order of chicks today. So far so good, but do have questions. Thought about adding to my other thread but decided better to start a new one specifically for questions/answers. Will repost a few pics.

View attachment 3064360
I got 10 chicks, all are supposed to be female. Five are ISA browns (which I believe are the "gold" colored ones), and five that are unknown colored eggers. They listed eight possible breeds for the other five. Based on the "chick identification" pics posted on the hatchery website I have ruled out all the Marans and the Sapphire Olive Eggers because they all look black in the pics. So I am pretty sure they are one of the following:
* Americana
* Prairie Bluebell Egger
* Olive Egger
* Starlight Olive Egger

Guesses welcome. Will try to post better pics of those five in a little while.

Questions:
1) If they are "quiet" does that mean they are happy and comfortable? There always seem to be a few out wandering around eating/drinking that are peeping a little, but the ones under the MHP are quiet.
View attachment 3064353

2) Ambient Temperatures: In the shed it will probability range between 55-85 over the next week. Is that warm enough to only need the MFP, or will I sometimes need a heat lamp to keep the room a little warmer?

3) MHP Temperature: If I put the thermometer probe (commercial digital refrigeration thermometer) touching the MHP it is around 105-110. Lay it on the ground underneath and it is between 90-95 so far. That's about right isn't it? Here are pics of the MHP.
View attachment 3064359

View attachment 3064365

4) They have already pooped in their water (of course LOL). Do I need to rush to clean that out? Or only once a day? I only put about 1/2 gallon in it, with a little apple cider vinegar, since I figured it would get dirty.

5) Should I put shavings under the pee pads for a little more insulation/cushioning underneath? I planned on using the pads for about a week to make it easier to clean and keep them from eating shavings too soon.

6) Should I use hand sanitizer every time I handle them? I think I should, my DH rolls his eyes at me.

And I'm sure I will have more later.

Quiet peepers are happy. And dont use hand sanitizer use dawn dish soap

 

[TX Chick Noob]

Don't get me wrong, I understand the importance of a good hand-washing with real soap and water. But there will be times I can't get to a sink for awhile after I am in with the chicks. So I figured better to use some hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes right away until I have the opportunity to wash up better.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Don't get me wrong, I understand the importance of a good hand-washing with real soap and water. But there will be times I can't get to a sink for awhile after I am in with the chicks. So I figured better to use some hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes right away until I have the opportunity to wash up better.

In that case, yes sanitizer is better than nothing/or wiping off with just a dry cloth, and soap & running water is even better. As a general rule you won't have issues in any case as long as you're not putting your hands in your mouth.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

So a little bit of poop stuck in their fluff is different than pasty butt right? I can see the vent still but wanted to double check.

 

[rosemarythyme]

So a little bit of poop stuck in their fluff is different than pasty butt right? I can see the vent still but wanted to double check.

Probably not pasty butt, but I'd clean that off regardless, as it can still build up pretty fast.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

A little wet poo is not necessarily pasty butt but I do still recommend you turn down the MHP... The temps you list in your original post sound too high and can cause pasty butt.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

Yes I turned it down already, and also raised it just a little bit today. Thanks.