Help with some ameraucana chicks

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

I got 2 of these chicks from my friend today as a gift. she said she got them from a farmer down the road.

They look to be only a few days old. Do they have to have medicated chick food? Right now I am feeding them mashed up pellets.

Will they be OK in a 20 gal aquarium w/ wood chips as a substrate and a heat lamp? I am kind of worried because I can't leave the heat light on overnight or while I am at school during the day (fire hazard).

Here is a photo. Thanks for any tips

 

[chics in the sun]

You will have to leave the heat lamp on. As long as it is a safe one, just put it where it will not be close to anything flamable and it should not start a fire. They must have heat.

 

[fiddleblue]

Yes, like the other responder said, you do need to leave the heat lamp on 24 hrs a day, or you'll have dead chicks pretty soon. They need the heat. There shouldn't be any fire hazard if you hang the lamp properly (sturdily) and use one of those metal reflectors with the cross-shaped guard, so that even if the lamp falls, the bulb can't touch anything because it's totally enclosed in the metal reflector. You need 90-95 degrees for the first week, lower temperature by 5 degrees each week thereafter. Use a thermometer under the lamp to test temperature. Leave chicks room to move away to sides of enclosure if they find the lamp too hot.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Is there any way you can put something in there to keep them warm? Chicks need to be at a 90F temperature plus be able to move away from the heat. I know that chicks need special nutrition, but I'm not sure if the mashed pellets are enough. Hopefully someone else will have a better answer! Good luck with your chicks!

 

[fiddleblue]

Also, I'm not sure how big a 20 gal aquarium is. You want enough room so that their food and water can be placed in there, and they still have some room to move away from being directly under the heat lamp if they find that too hot. As they get older you'll need a bigger box for them...you can use a cardboard box too, and when they get old enough to jump out, just make a wire lid for it.

 

[Laurie's Silkies]

What are the pellets your feeding? Do not feed them layer pellets. They need chick starter.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Updates. They are now approx. 25 days old and doing great. Unfortunately the yellow one is showing all the signs of becoming a rooster

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:
They look great. Why do you think the yellow one is a roo? Just curious.

 

[chics in the sun]

Love the colors, especially on the brown one.

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

Give your chick some time...may not be a roo. I have some SLW that I'm 'waiting' to see if they are a roo or a pullet...one sure has a red comb.