HOLIDAY HATCH PARTY... chicks anyone... the party continues....

[evonne]

suechick, as far as out of the brooder, i've had my little guys out for an hour or so.. in a cardboard box.. sitting next to my desk.. because they wont shut up if they can't see me.....
i have a heating pad in the brooder cage, and i had a lightbu;b hanging, but i've already turned the lightbulb off and they're sleeping all spreadout in the cage so i think they're plenty warm... in the house esp sitting with you, they should be fine for quite a while.... they'll let you know when they get cold..... they'll start chirping more than they normally do...

super cute pics guys... keep them coming...

 

[Suechick]

OK, I have a 2x4, I'll put that in, thanks

Evonne - that is so funny! Guess the eviction notice backfired on ya.

I think mine imprinted on the thermometer. I have a large dial with a red pointer on it. They all sleep next to it or behind it if they can.

 

[evonne]

lol... yeah... i guess it did.... but it's not really me, it's any person... right now my kids are downstairs and all is right in their world... as soon as the kids come upstairs or go to their rooms i'm sure the volume will go back up... lol...
earlier i was wondering if talk radio might keep them quiet... i doubt they could see me from their cage when i was doing dishes, but i htink the heard the noise of the water and clanking... i might try leaving a radio on for them in the morning.. lol...

 

[wegotchickens]

Quote:
They are already inclined to peck at shiny things, so it works quite well. In the spring we're going to install a nipple watering system in the coop, so I figure these chicks will have a jumps start on that. I've never had a problem with a chick drowning from the water bottle. But I do squeeze it when they're young, and make sure each one gets a good drink in the evening. By a week old they don't need any help understanding about the bottle. And most don't need it after day 1. But there are always the slow learners.

Most of my birds were reared early on water bottles. Cleaner, doesn't take up floor space, and they can't drown. Plus the ritual that first week, of squeezing out extra drops for them, makes them a little tamer IMO. Water bottle just aren't practical for full grown birds, though. So I'm excited about the nipple watering system!

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
Yes. I went to the furniture store and got really really big sturdy boxes. I also got long "strips," of cardboard from something they had unpacked. They are thick and 3 ft wide x 6 ft long. I used them for the floor. Entirely free brooder, (except for the Duck (duct) tape). I have got boxes like this from the lumber store as well. I used the long strips for insulation in my Silkies coop. I like free and recycled stuff! LOL Even better .... it is disposable! Next batch, new brooder!

Quote:
Send 'em over! This grandma loves to have the kids over! We have a trampoline, tree swings, a pond/lake for swimming and fishing (and slow leisurely boat rides), timber to go exploring through, fire pit for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows, and chickens to play with! LOL

 

[evonne]

Quote:
can i send my kids too?? and stow away in their backpack... that sounds like a ton of fun...

 

[mayapooh]

Hey, all... CUTE chickie piccies!

Right now I have all nine of my babies huddled around my neck and under my chin.

I am trying to figure out what to do about the bedding in their brooder - a ten gallon aquarium. (It totally cracks me up that they all fit in there comfortably - when they all crash under their feather duster foster mom you can't even see that there are chicks in there.

) I was thinking fine sand, so I can just scoop up their little poopies with a sieve, but I think I read somewhere that chicks can eat too much of it and get impacted....

Advice much appreciated... changing out paper towels three times a day isn't that fun. Though, it does give me an excuse to talk to and cuddle each one as they go in their little travel basket. (Ugh, I'm such a softy.)

 

[neferset]

Pea gravel should work. We used that for some pheasants with no problems. Or natural aquarium gravel. The compressed type cat box pellets might too, but I can't remember if they are scented. I wouldn't use the clay litter for chicks, though. The newspaper kind or the feline pine maybe.

 

[kathyinmo]

Quote:
can i send my kids too?? and stow away in their backpack... that sounds like a ton of fun...

Why of course you can !

 

[neferset]

I don't have kids. Do cute baby goats count?