First peachick hatched. Guesses on color?

[KsKingBee]

@strawn28 - I don't know anything about this myself, but I have seen peapeople here saying that cedar chips can be toxic. I think @zazouse mentioned, in particular, that they are dangerous when used in a confined space. Anyone know about this?

I think it is the oils in cedar that is a natural pesticide.

 

[strawn28]

Ok 3 sides of our box is made out of cedar is that ok?

 

[KsKingBee]

Not sure about the cedar box, I would think that if it is old weathered wood it may have leached out the oils, fresh wood on the other hand I would not chance. You can use a cardboard box as long as you are careful with the heat lamp keeping the wattage down to 100 watt or lower.

 

[strawn28]

This is my brooder box

 

[QueenMisha]

I'm curious I just lost a peachick so I'm hoping to prevent it again. I have a cedar box with chips and heat lamp for brooder. I do have a baby chicken chick in there. Do I need to move chicken is box ok for peachick?
Is medicated feed better than the medicated water? What kind do I use?

Oh, I actually know about this. The box is probably why the peachick died. Cedar is super poisonous to chickens/poultry, it emits a dangerous oil. I lost around half of my 80 bird day old order last year because I used cedar shavings for bedding... chickens, turkeys, the whole shebang. Like $200 dollars lost and so many little birds I was hoping to grow out.

And feed and water usually have additives for for different things. Feed has an anticoccidiosis medication, water should just contain electrolytes and probiotics. I don't think chicks so young should be given any kind of medication by water.

 

[strawn28]

Well we have have baby chickens no problem! Our chips are large pine.
Cedar is very old wood not fresh.

 

[strawn28]

Good to know about water and food thanks!

 

[thndrdancr]

I wouldn't chance the cedar, strawn since the other baby died rather mysteriously.

I usually just use a box myself.

Pretty little baby, QueenMisha!

 

[RubyNala97]

Oh, I actually know about this. The box is probably why the peachick died. Cedar is super poisonous to chickens/poultry, it emits a dangerous oil. I lost around half of my 80 bird day old order last year because I used cedar shavings for bedding... chickens, turkeys, the whole shebang. Like $200 dollars lost and so many little birds I was hoping to grow out.

And feed and water usually have additives for for different things. Feed has an anticoccidiosis medication, water should just contain electrolytes and probiotics. I don't think chicks so young should be given any kind of medication by water.

So you recommend electrolytes and probiotics in the water for newborns? Can I mix a gallon at a time and just keep changing their little dish out? (Someone told me you can't premix the water but I don't know if that's true). Also, straight medicated chick starter? Can you feed them fermented, medicated chick starter?

 

[QueenMisha]

I always use Sav-A-Chick probiotics and electrolytes for the first 3 days of life, minimum. Fragile birds (peafowl, turkeys) get them for the first week. They come in packets designed for 1 gallon of water and can be used together. However, you don't need to mic the entire gallon at the same time. Just eyeball the amount you need for the amount of water being used. The electrolytes are colored orange and the correct amount will make the water a light orange color.

I don't think I would ferment medicated feed, and I really wouldn't say fermented feed is something that would benefit chicks enough to be worth it. They're so little the difference in consumption would be negligable, and the Sav-A-Chick probiotics will mimic the positive effects of fermented feed anyways.