First Time Chick Parents, Spring 2016

[kekstrom]

They're only about 90min from me, so I'm driving to pick up the chicks instead of subjecting them to mailing, so my experience may be a bit different. But I will report back.



So three new brooders ready to go with MHPs ready to be suspended above the chicks (exits on all four sides appealed to me). Just have to add feeders and waterers when they arrive. I think I'm ready for the fluffy baby avalanche!

You aren't kidding! Hahaha. You really do have a zoo! Can't wait to see them all.

 

[Blooie]

It's an "MHP assembly line!" Very nice!

It is an assembly line. I'm trying to figure out the hanging MHP concept. That's a new one on me.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Of course, since I was all prepared, there appears to have been a snafu at the USPS hub in Florida. They scanned as leaving there at 5:45am yesterday...then scanned again as leaving the same place at 11:30pm. So, looks like they sat there for an additional 18 hours. :/

It is an assembly line.  I'm trying to figure out the hanging MHP concept.  That's a new one on me.

I attached the heating pad to a board with the little bungies. There are closed hooks screwed into the corners of the board. Each hook has a small length of rope coming together at a caribiner. Then a length of rope will suspend the whole contraption from the crosspiece at the caribiner. I'll be able to adjust the height of the thing from that last length of rope.

So basically I have a flat, hovering heating pad. I can drape fabric over it for "privacy curtains" if the chicks need it. I can butt one edge up against the side of the brooder if it is swaying too much too.

The more traditionally styled MHP is still in use at home so it will be interesting to compare.

 

[Blooie]

Of course, since I was all prepared, there appears to have been a snafu at the USPS hub in Florida. They scanned as leaving there at 5:45am yesterday...then scanned again as leaving the same place at 11:30pm. So, looks like they sat there for an additional 18 hours.

I attached the heating pad to a board with the little bungies. There are closed hooks screwed into the corners of the board. Each hook has a small length of rope coming together at a caribiner. Then a length of rope will suspend the whole contraption from the crosspiece at the caribiner. I'll be able to adjust the height of the thing from that last length of rope.

So basically I have a flat, hovering heating pad. I can drape fabric over it for "privacy curtains" if the chicks need it. I can butt one edge up against the side of the brooder if it is swaying too much too.

The more traditionally styled MHP is still in use at home so it will be interesting to compare.

Thanks for the explanation. That might be kind of interesting to run by the folks over at the MHP thread - might solve some issues with folks who worry about their chicks getting hung up in the frame. Good pictures and descriptions, too!

 

[Jensownzoo]

Thanks for the explanation.  That might be kind of interesting to run by the folks over at the MHP thread - might solve some issues with folks who worry about their chicks getting hung up in the frame.  Good pictures and descriptions, too!

Yep, we'll see if it works first!

 

[vadgoo]

I feel like I should put something in brooder for chicks to peck at or climb on they seem like they need some activity. Any suggestions? Thanks

 

[Blooie]

Yep, we'll see if it works first!

You've already got a plan B just in case, if I know you!

 

[famerzellman]

Roo?

 

[Blooie]

I feel like I should put something in brooder for chicks to peck at or climb on they seem like they need some activity. Any suggestions? Thanks

I did lots of stuff for them when I brooded in the house. You are smart to think of chick boredom as something to be considered - if they were living outside with a broody hen they'd be exploring, running all over the place with no flat walls holding them back, digging in the dirt and climbing on stuff.

When I brooded in the house, I did several things. One thing with my very first batch of chicks I found by accident when I realized that I didn't put marbles in the waterer.....I ran out and bought a bag of big marbles and when I was putting them in the water I dropped one. They ran from that foreign object and piled in the corner, so I just sat back to watch. One came over and investigated. She pecked at it and it moved. The soccer game was on! They got so busy pecking at that marble that they forgot to peck each other's eyes and beaks!

I also put a clump of sod from outside in the garden into their brooder. This does a lot of things. At first they will avoid it like it's an alien come to eat them alive. But again, one inquisitive chick is all it takes for them to attack! They climb on it, dig in it, ingest bits of tiny grit that's in it, scratch in it, and when it's all broken down they'll dust bathe in it. They are learning to be chickens!! They are also building up immunities to whatever is living in the soil they'll eventually live on. Win, win!

Now I brood outside almost from the start. Chicks out of the incubator stay inside for a day or so. So do shipped chicks. I just want to make sure they know where the warm spot is, that they are eating and drinking and then out they go. They keep themselves very busy out there, watching the adults and learning how to be chickens. They dig, they scratch, they find tidbits, and they snuggle down to sleep at night (yes, in the dark) all tuckered out from their busy busy day.

 

[Jensownzoo]

I feel like I should put something in brooder for chicks to peck at or climb on they seem like they need some activity. Any suggestions? Thanks

They love tunnels...I use old oatmeal containers without the bottoms. Short lengths of thick branches to climb and perch on. Clumps of sod. Treats scattered through the bedding so they have to hunt and scratch and peck. Live insects (1/4" crickets for example) to chase down and play chick "football" with.