Hello from newbie in NC

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Welcome to BYC - this is a great place to learn. Yeah, with hatching from eggs, you have a 50/50 on each one. For heat, I use a brooder plate - there are great articles here on making your own set up, what's called the Mama Heat Pad, but when I showed it to my spouse he was more in favor of just buying the Brinsea one rather than the work of making our own, especially since we're not the types who have parts lying around.

Here's an article on it - https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/brooding-with-mama-heating-pad.67728/
 
Hello and welcome to BYC! I totally love the brooder plates. However, unless you plan on brooding more chicks soon, you might want to wait. If your chicks are around 3 weeks old now they should have all their feathers in another week or two and won't need supplemental heat. Hopefully you have a thermometer inside the brooder so you can adjust the temperature. If the chicks are moving away from the light & heat they likely are a bit too warm. Good luck with your flock.
 
Ursuline Chick said:
:wee Welcome from New Orleans. I use broodies to hatch and care for chicks, so I won't be much help. However there are lots of informed people who can be very informative. Until they come along, check the forums for info on raising chicks without a broody hen, I am sure you will find lots of interesting reading. Don't be shy about jumping into a similar thread and asking questions. Mostly enjoy your chicks and good luck with the temp issue.

Thank you!
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DobieLover said:
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
The brooder being too hot was likely the cause of the pasty butt.
How old are the chicks? You can post pictures of them for possible gender ID which may or may not be accurate based on their age.
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They are 3 weeks old. I figured the pasty butt was from that as I didn't see a thermometer or anything keeping a check on the temp while they spent their first week in the classroom. I took pictures of them this morning and I'm planning on posting to find out if anyone can tell. I'm worried that I have 3 roosters, but I really don't know enough to make an educated guess. Thank you so much for your help
 
Virginia and James said:
Welcome fellow North Carolinian! Whereabouts in the state are you? We're out west, near Asheville, and definitely loving this break in the weather.
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I am in Moore County, near Pinehurst (golfing location), the Sandhills. I love Asheville! I am in the very small minority that can't wait for this hot weather to go away, but sadly it's only the beginning. I love winter!
 
Wee Farmer Sarah said:
Hello and welcome to BYC! I totally love the brooder plates. However, unless you plan on brooding more chicks soon, you might want to wait. If your chicks are around 3 weeks old now they should have all their feathers in another week or two and won't need supplemental heat. Hopefully you have a thermometer inside the brooder so you can adjust the temperature. If the chicks are moving away from the light & heat they likely are a bit too warm. Good luck with your flock.
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Thank you for the helpful information. I have been looking at the warming plates and want to do that or the mama hen cave set up next time we have chicks. I do keep a very close eye on the temp and their actions and so far, they've done really well. I'm trying my best to be patient and just enjoy these chicks, no matter if they're hens or roosters, but I admit that the question of their sex is constantly on my mind (I'm so awful, aren't I?)
 

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