I am a Chicken Mom!!!!!!!

[desertgirl]

Crap-I'll try to put a regular 100 watt bulb in there. Be right back.

 

[Slywoody]

Do you have a thermometer???

 

[Quella]

you don't have to get paper towels straightaway. I started to, but depleted quickly of my stock of them. If you have a mechanical paper shredder you could use shredded paper. I do, and many others as well.

 

[The Chicken Lady]

A thermometer is totally helpful, but observations will help, too, if you don't have one available.

Like someone else said, watch their behavior. Chicks will cuddle under the light if they're too cold (and this can be potentially bad because they may suffocate the one on the bottom of the chick pile) or will try to escape from the light if they are too hot.

Is it a wire cage? If so, feel the bars. I'd be concerned about the lamp heating up the metal and burning one of them. Ouch!

 

[desertgirl]

No-I so wish I did! I put on a 60 watt bulb, and they are huddled together at the edge of the light/heat radiating from it. No panting, but don't see to be trying to get warm directly under the light either.

 

[Slywoody]

Isn't it fun being a chicken mom??? Now you have to monitor them all nite!!!!!! If you want to get some sleep, you have to tuck them in your pajamas and take them to bed with you,, Your body heat will be ideal till you can get a thermometer tomorrow,,,,,,lol,,,

 

[desertgirl]

OK, replaced the 250 watt, but raised the light about 1.5 feet , and they seem to be enjoying themselves. Moving around, eating,drinking...chirping... a lot.

By the way, will they chirp all night?

Just need to warn DH....

I'll get a thermometer tomarrow

 

[Slywoody]

You can't stop chirping except for when they are sleeping.. You'll get used to it,,,

 

[desertgirl]

Funny...as soon as I posted this they fell asleep and stopped shirping!

 

[Judy]

Great; they are telling you they are comfortable.

But they won't sleep through the night for a while!