Getting chicks in 2 weeks!! Time to start prepping the brooder!

[rottnwarrior]

Forgot to mention. That is great thinking on that stand!

 

[fluffpuffgerbil]

I'm aware of the dust issue, but wasn't real sure what to do about it. Figured I'd just have to vacuum a lot more. =P How would you recommend closing up the pen as you said? Only one side has the mesh open, I closed the flap on the other side a bit ago just because. I think that we were going to do something around the sides of it though to prevent further mess, though I'm not sure what my mum had in mind for that. The noise probably won't be a problem for me. It usually doesn't bug me when I'm sleeping if I know the source of the noise. I'm more concerned about the brightness of the lamp, but I'm sleeping with it on tonight to see how it goes. =)

The birds have to be inside the house with their brooder definitely as our outdoor cat lives in our garage/shoppe and she can and will kill and eat birds and other small critters since she's grown up catching herself dinner.

But with the dust thing--- any way to cut down on that/prevent it from getting all over my lizards and bedroom would be fabulous.

 

[rottnwarrior]

The light is the easy part, use a red heat bulb. The dust is tougher because it's so fine it flies far and gets everywhere. Just off the top of my head I'd say maybe find cardboard or maybe old sheets to cover the open side and the top. Just keep it up off the light. You'll have to vacuum and maybe keep a wet rag handy to wipe stuff down now and then. You are definitely on the right path. You know I'm going to be staring at our pack n play now thinking of ideas for a brooder haha!

 

[fluffpuffgerbil]

Got the red heat bulb covered--- got that today at the store and got it set up in the fixture and stuff, now it's messing with temps and whatnot to get it around 95ish... even about 3 feet off the bottom of the floor it's pushing 100F.

I could just use sheets to cover the side and top? I love sheets and blankets for those sorts of things, so that'll be easy enough to do.

These are my first birds/chickens ever so I'm trying to do things the best I can, and yeah, they'll probably be pretty spoiled since they are going to be pets before anything else, and eggs are a plus, and they're not going to be eaten.

And I definitely like this portable crib for a brooder already better than the rubbermaid totes we were eyeballing in the garage A lot more spacious

 

[rottnwarrior]

If you're doing this inside where the temp is warm anyways you need to look at the wattage of the bulb. 3' up and still hitting 100 I'd say put that bulb away and get a much much smaller one. You basically want just one end to be 90 or so. The other end has to be cooler so they can get away from the heat. You'll notice that after a day or so they only go under it to warm up then back out to play where it's cooler.
Yes you can use sheets and blankets but keep in mind that they will hold heat so you may have to adjust your lamp. And they will have to be tossed in the wash now and then to clean off the dust. But better wash it off the sheets than have it get in every nook and cranny in the room!
The crib is big enough that they will be ok in it as they grow for awhile. So that's great. Judge the temperature by the birds not the thermometer once you get it all set up is my advice. They say raise it every week but you may find that they are staying away from the light, if so raise it up. Let them go play away from the light and then come warm up under it. If they stay under it try lowering it a tad. If they are in the house you may not need a light at all after a few weeks. Read all you can about them and don't worry too much. After a couple weeks they are tough to mess up. And as you see some of us love talking chicken so you've got backup haha.

 

[fluffpuffgerbil]

Thanks! Yeah, the wattage on this bulb is 250w....

My room is 75-80F almost all the time it would seem.... I may have to change the battery on my temp gun just to make sure it's being more or less accurate.

And I know to judge by the birds and not the temp read on the temp gun/thermometer, but I obviously gotta get an estimate to make sure nothing is too hot or too cold right away x)

I've been spending most of my free time reading books on them or stuff on here

Quick question, now that I mention books. One of the books mentioned using an electrolyte and vitamin mix in their water while they're growing chicks? Is that a necessity? Already I plan to use medicated feed just in case, and I know the electrolytes and vitamins do other things than the medicated stuff, but that was the first time I had read about using something in their water like that

 

[rottnwarrior]

Oh if your room is that warm normally I'd just get a real small bulb. You'll do just fine with that. As far as medicated feed, I don't use it. Why medicate if they aren't sick? There are a lot of people that go either way on that one. And as for electrolytes, most feed stores sell little packets you can mix in the water. I use them at first just because the chicks have had it rough getting shipped around I like to start em off on a good foot. But I buy it in a 3 pack and once that's gone I just use regular water. All of mine are happy and healthy.

 

[fluffpuffgerbil]

The medicated feed was just to be safe, but if it's not needed(also I am getting such a small amount of birds--- 6 to 8 of them, so things shouldn't be too cramped) then might as well not bother with it unless they show signs of sickness from coccidiosis. I'll see about taking this bulb back and finding a much smaller one then, and while at the store, get the electrolyte pack.

Thanks for all the help!!

 

[rottnwarrior]

I forgot to mention, I get my electrolyte mix from tractor supply and they have a probiotic mix right there too. I also use that. You can mix the two together. I don't know if it's needed or not but it was a buck I think so I grabbed a handful lol. After the first three gallons of water I don't give them anymore.

 

[rottnwarrior]

Do you have your chicks yet? How are they doing?