I am about to get chicks, Now what??

[write2caroline]

Be prepared too because they fly pretty early like beginning of week two.
CAroline

 

[Nicole01]

We put a boarder inside the wire kennel(used sheet rock, easy to cut in size) to keep the chicks and pine shavings in. We also securly hung the lamp inside the kennel in the corner. We wrapped the outside in big blankets to keep out drafts for the first two weeks. Now I have the kennel in the coop seperating my two flocks until the babies grow to size.

 

[Katechicken]

Quote:
I got a coop mostly made for free on used Victoria ( kinda like Ebay only small scale) and my run has a good solid frame ( My Grandpa and Dad helped me) and all it needs is some chicken wire!
When I say wire cloth I do mean hardware cloth.
Any advice on how to keep coons out of my coop and run? I am planning on digging the bottom of the chicken wire down at least a foot, and use tent pegs to secure it, but any other advice?

 

[Katechicken]

Second Question ( I have lots) It is going to get hot this summer ( last summer was around 30 - 40C or 86 - 104F ) should I remove the heat lamp if it gets that hot? Is there something I could do to keep my chicks cool?

 

[JodyJo]

make a list of all your questions, then post....it will be easier for us to help you through this if we have all of them together, and better for you!

 

[turbodog]

Quote:
You'll know the light is too hot if the chicks consistently pile up to sleep outside the light circle rather than under it. You can then: raise the light higher, which will lower the temp. some, or get a lower wattage bulb. If ambient air temps. get hot enough during the day, you could turn the light off. Turn it on at night when the air cools down. Is your brooder outside or inside?

 

[JodyJo]

Quote:
I have heard of people putting frozen water near the chickens...give them areas of protection in the shade, use a tarp or other material to give them shelter from the hot sun also. Make sure they have lots of cool water to drink...put ice in it also maybe. Sorry, I deal with cold weather here, not really that hot. I do notice when it is too warm, mine stay to the shade...wherever they can find it.

Any other questions? There are some good posts on feeding too, just go back a few days in the posts, and you will find some basic answers of what to feed, and when.

 

[cmom]

Quote:
It has been very hot here in the mid to upper 90's For the first 3 to 4 weeks, I put their heat lamp on at night and turn it off during the day. I did raise it. They will find their comfort zone. If the are bunching up then they will want more heat. If they are spread out away from the lamp then they may be too hot.

I have sprinklers and misters in my pens / runs. The birds like to get under them and scratch in the damp soil. I also have shade for them and I spray cool water under their shade to cool it off.

 

[JodyJo]

I am assuming you meant this summer, when they are older? By the time they start to feather out, you will be moving the heat lamp then stopping it all together in a few weeks...watch how they act...they will tell you if they are too hot or cold.

 

[Katechicken]

Thank you all so much for the advice / welcoming!
That's all the questions I have, for now any way..

Three more days until my chicks arrive!!!!!!