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

[desertgirl]

Thank you all for helping calm my fears tonight. I have been doing all of the research I could, but didn't take into account the "new mommy" fears. You all are great-thanks again!!!

 

[desertgirl]

OK-one more...

How long do they usually sleep? It's been about a half an hour...should I risk waking the up to check on them?
(It's perfectly acceptable to laugh at me at this point!!!)

 

[Slywoody]

Desertgirl,
You're doin' fine. There are lots of great folks here more than willing to help out. Just a side note; I'm stuck @ home with a broken toe and hang on here all day and half the night so you can even PM me and i'll get right back to you. I'm 60 yrs old and been hangin' with chickens my whole life in the great state of Minnesota.

 

[Slywoody]

now i am laughing, yes you can wake them up anytime. they are a lot tougher than you think,,,,,,,

 

[desertgirl]

Thank you!!!!!!!I will definitely take you up o your very kind offer.

And I hope your toe heals quickly-nothing worse than a broken toe (just healed one about a month ago.Grrrr!

).

I'm going to wake them up now...

 

[cmom]

Here is a great thread with all kinds of brooders.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6233

 

[desertgirl]

Thank you!

So, for an update about the first night with my chicks...

I put the infrared about 8 inches above the cage (after experimenting with heights). The chicks settled right down, sleeping side by side, but not huddled togther for warmth. I put a meat thermometer (the only thing I could find!

) about 2 inches from the floor of the cage, and it measured a staggeringly perfect 95 degrees! After my dog checked on them one last time, we went to sleep (just across the hall) and didn't really hear a "peep" out of them until about 6 in the am (went to bed around midnight). It seems a long time for them to sleep, so maybe we were just really tired....

This morning, all was well. They were much more active, exploring their little world. I changed their paper towels, cleaned one's apparant pasty butt (?see other post), changed water,food, and held each and told them I loved them. Not sure if they understand yet, but they tolerated it very well and didn't protest at all when I picked them up!

Thanks again for al of your help in calming down a very nervous newbie!

I'll keep you posted (in between the bajillion questions I'm sure to still have!

).

BYC Rules!!!