Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[drstratton]

I finally have seen now these ‘bins’ of chicks at TSC via this video, I could never picture what you guys meant when you talked about them. Now there is something new instead of the bins?
I would love to hear feedback on this from those who have access to these stores... we have nothing like it here so I’m very curious

Spoiler: Gold Shaw Farm, new brooders at TSC?

I was at TSC the other day and saw these new brooders. They didn't have very many chicks in them at the time and the ones that were there, were up and eating and seemed to be happy and healthy, so I didn't think anything of it. Maybe if they had been full of chicks it would have been different story. Like he said in the video it could be affected from the temp in the store. Maybe they should have more than one heat plate in them, so the chicks could spread out a little more, it would probably alleviate the problem he and others have seen! It would also be nicer for the chicks if they had some bedding on the floor, of the brooder! Hopefully they will come up with something to improve them as they hear the feedback from social media!

 

[drstratton]

I will say that the chicks at my TSC were quite active and actually looked pretty healthy, they were not huddled at all. Those at his store just looked awful.

View attachment 2587674View attachment 2587670

Maybe @CrazyChookChookLady can weigh in with what her friend that works at one is seeing?

This was my take too!

 

[drstratton]

When I was researching brooder ideas I almost did this one: take two plastic bins and cut out part of or the whole side on each of them - the long or short side, depending - and attach (tape or screw) them together. If it's tall enough, that will work, though you could even go up a story if you have enough bins.

My brooder is a crib!

I put hardware cloth on so I could sit down at eye level with them, I can move it right or left, so I can feed them treats from my hand! We also built a screen top for the rest of it, to keep the little buggers from flying out...

My husband made the floor so that we could start out with a smaller area for the chicks when they were tiny and could expand it as they grew. We blocked off one end, you can see that in my chicken tax picture!

You can see how it can be expanded here!

Chicken Tax!

 

[drstratton]

There is something wrong with this picture here. Occupied nest box, occupied nest box, and complaining hen camped out in front. In fact complaining so loud that she's brought both boys around to see what is wrong. But do you see it? A perfectly good empty nest right beside the occupied one. One in fact that she's used several times in the past. But is it good enough today, NO!! She's going to sit right there no matter how long it takes and raise a ruckus that so the whole neighborhood can hear her.
View attachment 2587832

She probably just wanted first choice and is upset that her sister beat her to it...lol

 

[featherhead007]

My brooder is a crib!
View attachment 2587887
I put hardware cloth on so I could sit down at eye level with them, I can move it right or left, so I can feed them treats from my hand! We also built a screen top for the rest of it, to keep the little buggers from flying out...
View attachment 2587890

My husband made the floor so that we could start out with a smaller area for the chicks when they were tiny and could expand it as they grew. We blocked off one end, you can see that in my chicken tax picture!
View attachment 2587902
You can see how it can be expanded here!
View attachment 2587903

Chicken Tax!
View attachment 2587885

Brilliant

 

[drstratton]

Brilliant

Thank you! It works really well. We bought the crib off of CL for $30!

 

[featherhead007]

Thank you! It works really well. We bought the crib off of CL for $30!

And today I’m busy busy, building a chicken coop for my littles. I’m jealous!

 

[featherhead007]

I have all the framework cut to size

 

[CrazyChookChookLady]

I will say that the chicks at my TSC were quite active and actually looked pretty healthy, they were not huddled at all. Those at his store just looked awful.

View attachment 2587674View attachment 2587670

Maybe @CrazyChookChookLady can weigh in with what her friend that works at one is seeing?

When used correctly the broders are very effective. Some stores had problems initially but that was employee error.

My babies were bought from TSC and they have been healthy from day 1.

 

[drstratton]

I have all the framework cut to size View attachment 2587962

That's going to be great Alex! Your littles will love it!