First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[Siggie]

Any ideas on how to get these little girls to come to you-without snacks? They are to young still for them. They run to the far corner when we come to get them (fill feeder or waterer, or move them to change brooder box).

I have the opposite going on! When I step into the brooder area, they all come running to my feet. I can pick them up so far with no problems but of course, I just got them, I am brand new so I don't know if this will change as they grow? But for right now, its extremely cute!!

 

[mamatink7]

I have the opposite going on!   When I step into the brooder area, they all come running to my feet.  I can pick them up so far with no problems   but of course, I just got them, I am brand new so I don't know if this will change as they grow?  But for right now, its extremely cute!!

yeah I'd hold my hand out and they'd jump right on, not so much now. We can watch them all day-they r addicting- but when we come closer they all run off. Grr it's aggravating.

 

[16 paws]

Thanks for mentioning Mama Heating Pad. I'll never go back to a heat lamp, and right now I have 9 chicks being raised outdoors in the run. It snowed a bit yesterday morning and has been rainy and in the 30s all week. They are thriving!

I'll provide a couple of links just in case anyone wants to take a look.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

There are a couple of videos of my chicks under their MHP outdoors, I think on page 4 of the thread, and then a few pages later again. I tried to get them on video at least once a week until they weren't using the pad and had been evicted into the main run and coop with the big girls, at around 4 weeks

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors

This is my outdoor setup. Nothing more than a dog run, Mama Heating Pad on a frame, and some straw. Easy, easy! @16 paws I'm so glad that brooding outdoors was so successful for you, and like you, I love it!

I want to thank-you for doing so much to help people understand the concept of this mama heat pad brooder. I was a little scared at first but I tried it and will never go back to a heat lamp again. You have been a big part of making this concept clear to people like me...

Bless you
Marie

 

[Siggie]

OK everyone...I need some re-assurance! All my chicks are under the mama heating pad right now all huddled close together in one corner. The temp is dropping outside and I am starting to freak out because I am afraid that the pad won't keep them warm enough?! I have read all the posts on the mama heating pad technique but I think I will be checking on them every hour tonight I even went out there and put a large fleece blanket over the top of the entire brooder to help keep the warmth in... I was so confident today watching them run around being happy on the warm sunny porch, thinking this would be easy and I wouldn't worry but now....it's cold and dark out there

 

[vanesa]

It's my first time raising chickens here in the Rockies. My chicks are 7 weeks old and they were outgrowing their brooder so I bought them a pre-made coop to put in the shed, which is solid, but not insulated. Will they be okay? I'm leaving town until Wednesday and have a chicken sitter and am worried that it might be too cold. The lowest it's supposed to get at night is18 degrees. Should I give them their heat source back?

 

[AmandaMBG]

I'm in the same boat as you right now. Although I do give them treats. Some sprouted bird seed and wingless fruit flies. They go crazy for both.

Any ideas on how to get these little girls to come to you-without snacks? They are to young still for them. They run to the far corner when we come to get them (fill feeder or waterer, or move them to change brooder box).

 

[AmandaMBG]

I personally would put one in. That's pretty cold for 7 week old chicks with no heat source.

[COLOR=141823]It's my first time raising chickens here in the Rockies. My chicks are 7 weeks old and they were outgrowing their brooder so I bought them a pre-made coop to put in the shed, which is solid, but not insulated. Will they be okay? I'm leaving town until Wednesday and have a chicken sitter and am worried that it might be too cold. The lowest it's supposed to get at night is18 degrees. Should I give them their heat source back?[/COLOR]

 

[Blooie]

My first chicks were outside in an unfinished coop when temps were in the 20s and we were getting snow. Uninsulated, unheated, and they did just fine at 5.5 weeks old.

 

[AmandaMBG]

Crazy!! No heating pad even?

My first chicks were outside in an unfinished coop when temps were in the 20s and we were getting snow.  Uninsulated, unheated, and they did just fine at 5.5 weeks old.

 

[Jensownzoo]

[COLOR=141823]It's my first time raising chickens here in the Rockies. My chicks are 7 weeks old and they were outgrowing their brooder so I bought them a pre-made coop to put in the shed, which is solid, but not insulated. Will they be okay? I'm leaving town until Wednesday and have a chicken sitter and am worried that it might be too cold. The lowest it's supposed to get at night is18 degrees. Should I give them their heat source back?[/COLOR]

I wouldn't. If they're inside a coop that's inside a shed, they've got plenty of material to block any wind. At 7 weeks, they should have their nice warm homegrown "down jackets" on to keep them warm. Plus, they can huddle together for extra warmth if they need it. Just make sure to check that their water is still liqud and you should be good.