getting chicks on Monday . . .

[fargosmom]

Thanks for the reminder. I'd figured on using pine shavings (since they'll be over 1 week old that should be ok, right?) or else we could make a mountain of shredded newspaper. We're only getting 4 chicks because I'm (ahem) not quite in strict compliance with local code, and I need to be discreet. I don't think our neighbors will complain - the one they'll be closest to is hardly ever home, and I figured I'd bribe him with eggs.

After all I don't complain about his yappy little dog.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

I use straw & then after a while I use straw with pine shavings on top.

Well when you get them home & settled, post some pics, gotta see pics

I just ordered mine but I have a delivery date of March 6-7 so hopefully the weather will shape up & I can hardly wait!

 

[fargosmom]

So here's an update:
Got the heat lamp today - scored a ceramic bulb and fixture off craigslist for $10 - whoohoo! It's 150 watts - I'll be setting it up tomorrow to give it a test run. Anyone familiar with these as to how high up it needs to be to hit 90 degrees at "ground level"? I have a thermometer but just thought I'd ask.
can't wait can't wait can't wait

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other posts. It seems like you have everything under control. For the chicks first week the temp should be around 95 degrees then decrease 5 degrees each week. I have used some pine shavings in a tray in my brooder the chicks to lay in and scratch in. Also I have a wire brooder. I have trays under it too. Their poop falls into the pine shavings in that tray and no poop inside the brooder and they poop a lot. I have never (so far) had any problems with my chicks. There are pictures on my BYC Page.

 

[fargosmom]

Yayy!!! They're here! I got the last two barred rocks AND the last two "aracaunas" the store had! They're awfully cute. I think they're a little over two weeks old, so I got the temp stabilized at around 88 degrees. They seem fine - they clustered in the corner of the box to sleep tonight and were eating and drinking and pooping before that - all seems well. Since I want them to be relatively tame I've been handling them for a couple of minutes every hour or two . . . am I overdoing it? They don't seem particularly stressed by it and they're hard to resist.
I'll try to get some photos tomorrow!

 

[Mahonri]

Sounds like you are doing wonderfully, and what an advantage to get them a little older.

Can't wait to see the pics.