Help me NOT burn down my house! Supid newbie!

[maggiemooscluckers]

My 9 chicks are 3 weeks old yesterday. I started them out in a medium sized rubbermaid tote with the center of the lid cut out and covered with hardware cloth. I just set the 100 watt shop lamp on the wire and used a wire to hook the electric cord to the lid so I wouldn't accidentally knock it off and ruin the bulb. I also used the chick size waterer and feeder. It only took a few days of the waterer being dirty before I changed to nipple waterers in the bottom of a small thermos. They took right to it and so no more changing dirty water. I also had paper towels in the brooder over shavings for one day. It was just too messy and they had no problems with the shavings when I removed the towels. As far as flying, I was having to be careful at a week to be sure they didn't escape. At just over a week I moved them into a 3' x5' x2' wire brooder. The floor was cardboard over the wire bottom with 2-3 inches of pine shavings. They were so much happier. Continued to use the nipple waterers and had to raise the chick feeders up on 2x6s' to keep the shavings out of it. They were really beginning to scratch and throw the stuff around. They also began to sit on top of the feeder jar and on their 2x2 perch that was about 3-4 inches tall. Really cute to see all 9 in a row roosting. I continued to keep the heat lamp on them but more for me then them. They didn't seem to care if it was a 40 watt bulb or a 100 watt bulb which was terribly too hot. Now at three weeks I have put them out into the secure coop and run all the time.They are probably 3/4 fully feathered and only really use the light as a security blanket. When I planned for the little fuzzy butts I never dreamed that they would be outside so quick but it has proven to be the best for them and me. Today I sat in their run with them, held and pet them and just enjoyed them and they me. I have made it a point to hold each of them everyday so now they are very comfortable with me. They already come running when ever they see me. They really are such a joy now that the pressures of motherhood or should I say chickhood are past. Treat them well but don't worry too much about having things perfect. I did that and made it more of a burden than a pleasure. Now I get to just enjoy having chickens!

 

[mika4me]

I would cover the tub right away. I started my chicks in a large box with high sides, and I figured they wouldn't be "escaping" until they got bigger. Some of my chicks were day-olds, but there were a couple of week-olds in the mix. One of the week old babies did jump out on the very first night. When I came in to check on the birds (at about 2 am) I found my barred rock Clementine on the laundry room floor. She looked cold but otherwise okay. It really surprised me though, that she would be able to get up that high on those little stumpy wings.

 

[BWKatz]

I just used graduated cardboard boxes .Nipple waterers are best and don't have to be constantly cleaned, but either will work. I would recommend a red light to cut down on pecking. Good luck & enjoy.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

my barred rock was leaping out of our HUGE rubbermaid container at 4 or 5 days old. now she's 2 weeks old, she just jumps back in. good luck!

 

[FlipFlopFarmer]

I use the clamp lights with the metal "shield" around the light, place it without the bulb on the lid,and draw a circle, take a razor knife and cut about 2 inches bigger than the circle. place a square cutout of wire mesh on the inside of the lid(chick side) and make little holes to secure it with plastic "zip ties". this keeps me from hanging the lamp or clamping it and worrying about it falling. it keeps the lid on the plastic tote and drafts to a minimum. If the light extends past the "shield", i make a cylinder out of wire mesh and place the lamp on it and it on the mesh cutout on the lid. it looks neater, and can be adjusted by cutting the height u need. I use a hampster water bottle mounted on the outside of the tub. To do this, i cut a hole in the side with a drill and run the nipple to the inside at a height the chicks can reach. i fasten the bottle to one end(taking advantage of the "lip handle" on the tub. I also cut holes about 1inch in diameter with the drill about 3 inches from the top of the tub all down both sides. In the beginning, I tape them up on the inside and out, and remove the tape as the chicks grow and need less heat. I also use double stick velcro to hold the thermometer to the inside of the tub and mount it on the side about 3 inches from the bottom. I use paper towels as i change them 2 times a day but that is just a preference. I have seen a really awesome alteration done to a tub where a guy mounted an exterior metal electrical box to the inside side of the tub with a ceramic fixture, so he only needed 60 to 40 watts, kept the lid the same, and cut the bottom off the tub all the way around adding wire mesh and 1x1 lumber to hold it in place, and then added lumber to the bottom cut off portion and stacked it back together to make a wire bottom. The possiblities are limitless and cheap if u have the time and imagination. Typing all this made me realize i need to take pictures. Have fun, and be thankful for the BYC!