Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[bgmathteach]

My chicks are in a room that is set at about 73. They have a heat plate which is set at an angle so they can decide whether to snuggle up against it or not. It is warm, not hot to the touch and they really only get its heat if they touch it or close to.
They are now 9 days old and conventional wisdom suggests they need to be at 90 degrees or something like that. But they are not really interested in the heat plate. They are all in its general vicinity but as far from touching it as you can get.
I think they may be too hot.
Anyone experienced this? I can lower the temperature in the room which will be a good way to acclimatize them to going outside. I am just puzzled that they seem to find 73 degrees warm enough already.

I would suggest doing 1 of 2 things (your choice)
A) reduce the temp of the room by maybe 2 or 3 degrees.
B) raise the heat plate up some

You could do both, but just not at the same time. Give them at least 24 hours of one change to see how they react before doing the other.


So: what was their keeping arrangements where you got them from (I know in the cellar, but temp, heat plate set up, etc.)

I did notice in one of your pic that all 3 were on TOP of the heat plate. That is a slightly warm space, but not like touching the underside of the heat plate. So, they probably do need some of it's warmth, but not to the level of being under it - unless it is the only thing they can all hop up on together????

 

[notabitail]

I have said that I made my door more chook friendly. As you might remember, I have a second desk in front of my door and the chickens jump on it:

So I moved it opposite of where it was and made a path. I had In Albis follow me in to snag a mealworm. I did not take a picture. The We Demand Mealworms Association might follow me in tomorrow. We'll see.

 

[knoturavggrl]

I followed several folks wise advice and tied the poles to the ceiling. I think this will prevent a total collapse in case someone decides to be super daredevil and hop onto the top netting. I feel better now that that is done. I went out and checked 5-6 times since I set it up this morning and alls still well. They roosted with no issues and Brownie looks smug that she has a private apartment.

I got two cool videos that show the chicks moving about in their eggs when I candled them this evening. These two videos really showed some active little ones. I think its so nifty to see them developing.

 

[bgmathteach]

It's LVP.

?LVP?
Is that: "Lady Vogue Phyllis"?

 

[BY Bob]

Love the look it's lovely

Thank you. It turned out great.

 

[BY Bob]

Dear Aurora,

I am not a chicken, merely a chicken tender, yet I still bow down to your Grace! I am amazed at your breadth of knowledge, and while I don't always agree with "The Way of The Chicken', you are true to the rules of chicken living - as true to them as anyone (or chicken) could be. Might I even venture to say you are truer to the rules of The Way of The Chicken' than humans are to their own man made rules!!

Obviously, your knowledge, faithfulness to the rules of your larger tribe (the tribe of ALL chickens), and strength are why you are Queen (well, that AND your glorious beard...you must have eaten a LOT of spicy food as a chick!!) Might I inquire as to how you gained all this knowledge? While I don't want you to give up any top secret secrets, I would hope you would give me direction in learning. Your columns are quite informative, and someday you should have your scribe put these all in a book. However, where can I turn to learn more in between your nuggets of wisdom?

Thank you for your guidance,
a humble chicken servant

P.S. Clearly you spend way too much time on beakbook to have friendships with so many and so varied chickens from all over!

Well played!

 

[BY Bob]

That's great! I just made my door chook friendly. Will have to send photo.

You must.

 

[knoturavggrl]

My chicks are in a room that is set at about 73. They have a heat plate which is set at an angle so they can decide whether to snuggle up against it or not. It is warm, not hot to the touch and they really only get its heat if they touch it or close to.
They are now 9 days old and conventional wisdom suggests they need to be at 90 degrees or something like that. But they are not really interested in the heat plate. They are all in its general vicinity but as far from touching it as you can get.
I think they may be too hot.
Anyone experienced this? I can lower the temperature in the room which will be a good way to acclimatize them to going outside. I am just puzzled that they seem to find 73 degrees warm enough already.

Yes, I did experience this. I kept my babies inside till they were 7 weeks and used a heat plate the entire time.

The first couple of days they did huddle under it almost all day came out for few minutes to eat or drink the ran back. But after that it was the complete opposite. During the day they would pop under the plate for a few minutes or sometimes to nap. They were out and about doing busy chick things 85-90% of the day. I remember worrying about it. At night they would all go back under it to sleep for the evening.

I thought they would be under it more then they were as well . They are really quite noisy if they are uncomfortable, like frantic peeps. If they are not doing that I wouldn’t be overly concerned.

 

[BY Bob]

?LVP?
Is that: "Lady Vogue Phyllis"?

That's funny.

Luxury Vinyl Planking

 

[bgmathteach]

That's funny.

Luxury Vinyl Planking

Oh, but of course! It would have to be "Luxury" if it is Phyllis used & Phyllis approved!