First day and SOOOOO many questions, LOL

[TX Chick Noob]

OMG - Three of these little devils scared me to death today. I woke up and went in the shed to tell them good morning and get food for the llamas. Turned on the light and started hearing the chorus of peeps. Two were hanging out on top of the MHP, five more came trotting out from underneath. That made seven. Hmmmm, missing three. Gently pick up a corner of the MHP to check underneath and see if they were ok. Nobody there! Started to get a little frantic, and thought I know there were ten when I covered the brooder last night, they have to be there. Thought I saw movement and picked up the corner of the towel that is on top. There they were, cuddled together on top of the MHP under the towel. They looked at me like "but mom, just 5 more minutes" then hoped down and are not happily drinking with the others.

I guess I need to wrap some wire ties or bunnies around each end. Don't want them getting trapped under there.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...e-heavy-update.956958/page-1188#post-25572338 This is the best thread if you have time to flip through it. I had the exact same freak out my first year with a MHP, they were up in the wire frame that I made and that seemed dangerous. So now I have 2 towel covers that I sewed velcro on to make a tight fit over the whole thing. I just put a second towel, a smaller hand towel on the top and change that out daily to keep it clean. People develop their own process for this and I know Blooie initially recommended press n seal over the frame. I've never tried that but it does make sense.... Glad they're okay!

 

[chickfused]

I fold up a doggie pee pad and put it on top of my MHP, absorbent side out. Loops of tape to stick it down and replace when soiled.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

I've read through a lot of that thread but haven't had time to finish it yet. Any I used press and seal on the towel I have on top but nowhere else. I think I have it chick-proofed now but will monitor closely.

 

[Soonermagic254]

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.
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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.

I think hand washing before handling would be better than hand sanitizer just dry hands well.