Going away for the weekend

[Heatherberry]

Hello,

I am new to the forum and have four new babies that I got last week. I have two Buff Orps, one Brahma and one P.B.Rock. The BR is 3weeks old , the Brahma is 2 weeks old and the Buffs are one week old.

I have them in a Rubbermaid brooder with the top cut out and hardware cloth to close the hole. I am in Florida and temps are already reaching 90 degrees so I have been keeping the light off during the day on my enclosed back porch, bringing them in in the evening and running the light in one corner of the brooder all night. A 75 watt bulb has made the temp hover at about 90 in the brooder in my kitchen. The chicks are happy.


My dilemma is that I am going out of town on Friday afternoon and not returning until Sunday evening. I do not have anyone that would be able to keep the biddies for me or check on them. Would they be okay for the weekend by themselves with plenty of food and water?

Should I keep them on the porch with the light on the whole time. Would they be okay without the light? You should know that I am terrified of being gone and my house lighting up on fire with the light becoming overheated. Does that happen? Should I keep them inside? I really don't know what to do.

Any suggestions?

TIA

Heather

 

[Backyard Hencam]

Ohhhh, I feel for you. They should be fine for a few days without you but do you have somewhere that you know the temperature would be regulated properly. I think that I would leave them where you have had them. If you had the light on at all times, would the brooder be in the range of 85-90? I don't think a light bulb left on all the time would cause a fire. We've done it many times and a 75 watt bulb is not excessively high for most lamps unless is says (not over 60) on it. It is so reassuring to hear that you are concerned about your little ones and hope you work it out so you can relax.

 

[cwalraven72]

If the temp. is reaching 90 degrees during the day, I would buy a timer so the chicks will have heat during the night. They should be fine on the back porch. Just make sure you have plenty of food and water.

 

[Kittymomma]

The timer is a good idea. You could also expand your brooder so they can get away from or closer to the light/heat easily. Is your porch secure? A dog, raccoon, possum, or even a cat could be a problem if it's not and you leave the chicks out there. It would probably be better if you left them in your kitchen while you were gone, and since the temp there would be more stable you wouldn't need to worry so much about changing weather conditions outside.

 

[Heatherberry]

Okay, So i thought about the timer, I do have one. If I bring them in the house I would have to have the light on the whole time. Our a/c is set to be at 78 so thats too cool for the babies.

If I leave them on the porch, we are definitely secure against critters. Dogs are going to sitters house cats are inside. Dog door on porch is locked up. We did have raccoons coming in a year or so ago through the dog getting into the dog food, but they haven't tried to rip through the screen or anything to get it since keeping the dog door locked, so I am assuming they wouldn't try to come in with the chicks.

So if i put the timer to come on say around 9pmish and to go off around 9amish that is 12 hours the coolest part of the day, they should be fine. That is what I am thinking.

We had chickens as kids and i don't remember this much hullabaloo about leaving the chicks or hens for several days. i just don't want to be over thinking this. The guy at the feed store said today, "They are just chickens." I dont really think of any of my animals as "just" one thing or another they are a part of the fam but yet I also want to not feel like I am making this harder than it needs to be. Rant done.

So who's in favor of on the porch with a timer and me not stress about a fire. Which I do whether I am here or not, biggest fear of my life.

The container I have them is the big boy container. They have plenty of room to move around so i know if they want they can get away from the light.

 

[Kittymomma]

As long as the porch is secure and they have plenty of food and water I think they'll be just fine with the timer. Have fun!

 

[Chook-A-Holic]

Just an Idea. If you want to keep them in the house where they will be safe from predators while you are away, why not close off the A/C and cover the vents in a small room? I brood my chicks in my master bedroom study(now an incubator/brooder room). I keep the rest of the house at 72* but with the vents closed off and covered in that room it stays around 80*. Next week I will be able to completely turn off the heat lamps during the day, and use a smaller bulb at night than I am now using. I will be using a timer also. The last week in the house before the chicks go outside the room will be cooled along with the rest of the house. This will prepare them for the nightly outdoor temps.

 

[nelgkel]

Just sent ya an email...I am in FL too!!