Got my first chicks! Any pointers? :)

[mom22alcorns]

I was a bit worried about the red light, too. It gets VERY hot and I am worried about a fire or it melting during the night. Might have to switch to a regular bulb, but I read that it can make them pick at each other. Anyone else hear of that? Thanks to everyone for the tips!

 

[koakritters]

i've never had a problem with them pecking at each other.

 

[bogwitch]

Good to hear all this! My very first chicks come in the mail tomorrow, the next day or the next, so I am full of anticipation! Please keep this thread updated so we can see if your set-up ended up working great or not....
I got a very large cardboard container for free from Home Depot, it has chicken wire and a child gate on top, and I have a nice infra-red heat light that I will monitor.

 

[mom22alcorns]

So far, so great! They are in a kiddie pool with chicken wire on top and pine shavings inside. As soon as I take the top off to change food and water, they are now adventurous enough to just take a running leap and pop right on out onto the kitchen floor...

Then they stand there a second like "oh my, what did I do?" and then cry to get back in with their buddies....

So far, the kitchen arrangerment is working great, but they will be moving to the basement garage when they are too big for the kiddie pool. Can I just say how much FUN I am having???