Help with important questions

[brockbrock88]

I just bought 3 baby chickens and I put them in a very big Tupperware container probably a 40 gallon, I'm not sure of that exactly but they have plenty of space for now at least. I put chips in the bottom and have their food and water in there, with a 220 watt heat lamp at the top. So how close is too close for the lamp? Is that Tupperware safe for them? Within the first hour or so of putting them in it, one of them started to kick all of the chips out of the way of the bottom. Once he got to the bottom he would start pecking it. Then they all 3 started to do it together....so what is that they're doing? And do they not like that material or do they just wonder what it is? The Tupperware is just until they are large enough of course to be outside in their house. We were told max. of 1 month until they're ready to be outside also how can I keep that temperature consistent? Is 80-85 degrees safe/comfortable and for how long is it necessary etc?
I do have baby chicks in my garage but I have that heat lamp as well as a small safe space heater that is a distance away. It's helping with heating the entire garage so that it's one temp inside of just their space. We thought of letting them live in our bedroom for 2 weeks....?! Thoughts on that? Would that be better maybe. I do want the chicks to be social and use to people especially me. So how should I hold them safely and how often etc?! I can't help it but hold them. They're so dang cute!! any help or suggestions or info would be much appreciated! Thank you

 

[Judy]

For temp, really the best indicator is how they behave. They are trying to forage for food, as well as checking ut their environment, perfectly natural. They typically scratch away the surface a bit when on dirt, presumably to get at any bugs, then back up a bit to peck that same area for bugs, seeds, etc.

The rule of tumb for outdoors without added heat is about 6 weeks or when fully feathered -- but many people put them out sooner than that, especially if they are already accustomed to cooler temps or a range of temps. Ideally, their brooder shuld let them choose warmer and cooler spots.

Brooding indoors and outdoors is a whole discussion in itself. it used to be common to brood indoors, but it really isn't healthy when you think of the amount of dust, dander, even dried poop floating around in the air. They are much better off in a coop or garage where there is good ventilation and fresh air. I would definitely not choose my bedroom. I did it once, in a spare bedroom on the other side of the house, and decided then that I would never do it again. In my mind, the ideal setup is either in a barn or garage, or in the permanent coop, with warmth but also with limited, protected outdoor access, something like a small run covered with chicken wire, as they are so vulnerable to other birds when small. The sooner they have at least short periods of access to grass/dirt, the more content they will be. Sometimes people do things like turn an old playpen upside down and put them outside at a young age for 30 minutes or so. Chicks raised under a broody will run out and forage, if only for a few minutes, then run under mama for warmth, even in 40 degree temps. They should have about 2.5 sq ft of space per chick til 8 weeks, when they need 4 sq ft as a minimum.

There is nothing wrong with handling them, especially if you want them to be social; that's what it will take. Be sure they are coming to you willingly, that you aren't forcing them to be picked up.

Here is one setup used by an experienced chicken keeper in quite cold weather, with good success:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/735392/redneck-fungshui-brooding-17-degree-temperatures/0_20

 

[chooks4life]

Hello and

I just bought 3 baby chickens and I put them in a very big Tupperware container probably a 40 gallon, I'm not sure of that exactly but they have plenty of space for now at least. I put chips in the bottom and have their food and water in there, with a 220 watt heat lamp at the top. So how close is too close for the lamp?

I wouldn't heat the whole container, let them have a cooler area they can move to. It's natural and healthy for the body to experience temperature fluctuations, as it exercises the cardiovascular system and tones it; chicks with a hen will range away from her until they need a heat recharge, then they go back, snuggle, rest, and when ready off they go again. They never naturally stay the same temperature nonstop.

It's not great but it's not the end of the world. If you want to look into the damage plastics are doing to the endocrine systems of animals and humans and also the environment in general, the info is readily available, and quite horrifying. Tupperware, PVC, linoleum etc are some of the biggest culprits in causing endocrine disruption, and are also involved in the majority of cases of human obesity. We absorb plastics though skin and dietary exposure and it's a health epidemic many are unaware of.

Within the first hour or so of putting them in it, one of them started to kick all of the chips out of the way of the bottom. Once he got to the bottom he would start pecking it. Then they all 3 started to do it together....so what is that they're doing? And do they not like that material or do they just wonder what it is?

In birds bred under very artificial conditions for generations, though, many natural instincts we take for granted can be warped into unnatural expressions or even entirely absent so don't count on them knowing what's best. They require a natural environment to express and retain natural instincts, and when we change their environments and diets and social structures, of necessity their instincts gradually adapt over generations of such an unnatural existence, as does their physiology. Slowly, though, generally.

The Tupperware is just until they are large enough of course to be outside in their house. We were told max. of 1 month until they're ready to be outside

also how can I keep that temperature consistent? Is 80-85 degrees safe/comfortable and for how long is it necessary etc?

Mine would hatch outside with the hens and even in winter some were freeranging from day one of their lives, all of the rest from a week old at the latest. They can tolerate quite a cold environment if they only have a mother hen (or lamp) to return to for heating when they need it.

It's not ideal, but may be necessary. I don't know what it's like where you are. Is it freezing cold? All baby animals do better with some natural sunlight every day. Vitamin D isn't just a vitamin, it's very poorly understood but it's also a hormone. Synthetic Vit D can't cover all bases because we don't understand it enough. Anything synthetic is best avoided unless you can't access the natural alternative.

Hand feed them and train them to come when called. Easily done with food. It will save you so much time when you're trying to get them to come to one area as adults.

If ever you pick one up and it screams and struggles, don't release it for that behavior. I have a rule of only releasing them when they are calm. Gently restrain it, so it isn't unbalanced or feeling insecure, not able to scratch or flap. It should settle pretty quickly. Be calm and talk to it; they talk to one another, and understand the implications of the tone of another animal's voice, and they are just as capable of understanding yours. They aren't nearly as stupid as we're taught by popular opinion on them, and respond well to voice just like just about all other animals.

You may have some that resent being handled and will never accept it. I get rid of those, because in my experience they will never accept you and can often be quite the troublemakers, trying to get the others to view you as they do --- as an enemy. They can succeed at that, too, turning more tame animals into similarly suspicious and unfriendly animals, just by insisting every time they see you that you are an enemy. Watch out for the bird that always makes an alarm call or 'be alert' call whenever it sees you. They are disruptive social influences. Trust makes everything you have to do with them so much easier on both you and them so achieve it and keep it when able.

You need them to accept your handling so if they need any treatment or handling in future, as no doubt they will sooner or later, you can handle them safely and fairly stress free, for both their sakes and yours. By the time a sick non-handled bird will let you handle it, it's generally too late to help it, being the main problem with the often repeated maxim of "I never handle mine, so I know when one's not well, because it lets me handle it then." If it's terrified of you but unable to flee, it's in a dire state indeed, and should never have been let to get so bad.
Best wishes with them.

 

[Irishhenman]

Hang the light up, if they all huddle up underneath it they are too cold and it should be lowered. If they are all as far away as possible from the lamp they are too warm and it needs to be raised. If they are well spread out around the container it is perfect. Gradually start raising up the light to make it colder for them (maybe 4-6 inches a week) and they should be ready to harden off at around 4-6 weeks. At around that time put them into a bigger pen (4'x4' would be good) with the light in just one corner they will eventually stop using the light in a week or two and it is safe to remove it then.

Tupperware should be fine and what you are describing is probably just curiosity.

If you are willing to put up with the smell go ahead and put them in your bedroom if you really want but it would make no difference to them.

It is fine to handle them regularly as long as you catch them carefully, you don't want to be chasing them around with your hand trying to catch them, if you do they will become skittish adults. It is usually best to let them stand on your hand and hold them down (gently) with your other hand. You have to be very careful not to injure them. It is also a good idea to never hold them up high keep them close to the ground incase they get out of your hands.

 

[Sonya9]

Regarding heat, if you can go buy a cheap dimmer cord so you can adjust the heat output without moving the lamp, also a thermometer would be a great thing. I have an indoor/outdoor thermometer (has a little sensor that you could put out the window OR put on the warm side of the brooder) that I used to monitor both sides of the brooder, that way I could make sure the hot side was in the upper eighties and the cool side was at least 10 degrees cooler. A 250 watt heat bulb generates a LOT of heat especially in a temp controlled house, be sure you an control the temp and monitor it carefully. Be careful that the heat lamp does NOT get the plastic too hot, some plastics give off toxic fumes when they get too hot.

I like having mine inside because our temps have fluctuated a LOT, 20 degree nights etc...and if for some reason they got chilled and started to cry I would hear them. When mine were about 3 1/2 or 4 weeks old I started letting the temps vary more, slowly going lower at night but keeping them covered with a blanket to protect against drafts. I want them to be used to temps in the 60's before they move outside.

Also when handling one tip I learned is cup them to your chest. They seem to be much calmer when cupped against you rather then held away from you (maybe it is our body heat and/or heartbeat?). My 5 week olds race to me for food and treats BUT they don't like to be picked up. I have to force them to be held (especially since I found out one is a roo). Amazingly after a few "forced" cuddle sessions that include getting fed mealworms or other high value treats while being held, gently talked to and stroked they suddenly they jump on top of me, even my shoulder when when the mood strikes them.

 

[RoosterDoo]

Wow. That's a lot of questions...
1. They are looking for food when they are scratching- normal behavior
2. The chicks will tell you how close to put the heat- cuddled up, they are cold: move the heat closer. As far away from the light they can get, they are too hot: move heat away or get a smaller bulb.
3. Steadily remove heat as they age to get them used to normal weather
4. I have raised chicks in my bedroom, but only do so if you can handle the light of the heat lamp and the near constant chirping
5. Hold them carefully, cupped in your hand- maybe one under, one over so they can't jump out. Pet them everyday, get them to eat from your hand, teach them simple tricks

 

[Sonya9]

4. I have raised chicks in my bedroom, but only do so if you can handle the light of the heat lamp and the near constant chirping

Or one can use a Ceramic Heat Emitter (no light, just heat -- typically sold for use with reptiles), screws in the heat lamp sockets just like a red bulb. I switched to that early on when another poster here reminded me of them so they would sleep at night instead of being awake and chirping at all hours (seems far more natural for the babies to get a good night's sleep).