First time chick mama is NERVOUS!! How does brooder look (pic)

[sunflowerparrot]

I put mine in my spare bathtub They're about 3 weeks old now.. I'm going to keep them in there for about another 3 weeks (will be moving then and they'll have a coop/fenced area) I put a clearish shower curtain in the tub to keep them from jumping up on the ledge.. I also cut a bunch of holes in the curtain for good air circulation. Then, I put an extra curtain rod across the tub for them to roost on - they love jumping up and down from it!

 

[jeapa]

I would be worried that they will overheat in a brooder that size. It doesn't look like there is enough room for them to move away from the lamp.

 

[Fraunie]

Thanks guys!!! I have been having SOO much fun with these little buggers....but tell me if and how I should change Brooder #2. They are now almost 3 weeks....on Thursday.

I had NO IDEA chicks were so messy and psycho!! Seriously, their waterdish is constantly full of wood shavings. I htink its because they are scratching, so I moved things around to try and get their dishes far enough away that wouldn't happen, but it didn't seem to help. Plus they end up scratching out so much food, then I end up having to dump a lot of it bc there are too many shavings in it.

Is there a better way to organize a brooder? Is mine too big now? Are chicks just going to be super messy like this and get shavings everywhere?? These gals are constantly running relays it seems from one side to the other. It's hilarious to watch them run their little sprints!!

Also, my chicks are super scaredy chicks. Only 3 of the 8 let me touch them without squealling for dear life. I took them outside a few days ago and they wouldn't set foot on the grass and screamed the whole time they were out of the brooder. Is there anything I can do to get them to relax a bit???

Thanks!

 

[Cotton42]

Yes, all chicks are that messy. For the water, I like to raise mine up on a block of wood or brick, it seems to help keep most of the shavings out of it. As for them being afraid of you, the best thing you can do is hold them and love on them a lot. I like to give mine treats out of my hand. When they were little they ran from me, but once they realized I wasn't trying to kill them and they got treats when they saw me, they started to come running toward me when I checked on them!

 

[RonC]

Mine did the same thing first trip outside. They thought the grass would eat them or something. They figured it out and then didn't want to come back in. You will learn how to herd chicks to get them back inside. Had a box I moved them in and out in, they learned what was happening when they saw the box. Wasn't hard to get them in to go outside.You will have to learn to herd chicks to get them back inside though.Ditto on putting the food and water on something to elevate it about to the level of their backs. Placed both of mine at one end of the brooder to maximize the room they had. Next is a lid for your brooder if you haven't already made one. A grate or something so they can get ventilation is best.

 

[sunflowerparrot]

I put my water container in a baking dish just big enough for the base to fit in, but not the chickens! They step on the sides and drink.. sure has helped keep some chips out of the water (still gets messy, but not as fast)

 

[Fraunie]

Thank you guys!!
I bought some screen to put over the box....which I suspect I'll have to do tomorrow. I have one Buttercup that is super adventurous...she climbs up my arm to sit on my shoulder and peck at my mouth or glasses!! I caught her trying to fly up to the edge of the box today....curoius chicken! I'm going to try outside again tomorrow. I"ll try to raise things up and see how that goes. I swear, those little guys are crazy!! They crack me up the way the speed along, hopping over the feed dish like it isn't twice their size!!

I'll try holding them more too...I have been too nervous with the ones that squirm so much. They were just so small. At 3 weeks now, though, I feel like I won't crush them by just preventing them from trying to get away. I probably need a roost, too, huh!!

 

[madi99]

my chicks are 11 days old and they do the exact same thing! they freak out when i try to pick them up but have no problem eating out of the palm of my hand... some of them are very calm and relaxed but some of them chirp like there's no tomorrow! your brooder looks great... i have to make mine larger tomorrow i'm afraid theyre getting too big! if you haven't already try putting food in your hand you'll be amazed at how quickly they'll run up to you! good luck!

 

[TabbyG]

Your post makes me laugh so much, because I remember how it was 2 months ago when I got my babies. It was such a HUGE learning experience for me, and now I can't wait to get my hands on more babies - which I hope will be this weekend! Your babies are precious!

Our babies were in this for the first 2 weeks - it didn't last long!!!!! We moved them into a large dog crate where they stayed until we moved them into our coop.

 

[Puddin Fluff]

It looks like you are doing great. Take lots of pics, they grow faster than children do