I just got 9 chicks —Help

[BallsEleven]

So I have been wanting egg layers for a while and have done tons of research on Ducks because I was going to go that route.

Well I’m a whim, someone brought me 9 chicks today. So I need help.

I know they are maybe 3-4 days old. I’ve got crumble and water with them in a box right now.

Will be building a pen area this weekend (I do know it will be a while before they go in this outdoor area).

Are they good in direct sun to keep them warm right now? What temp inside? Good with crumble and water for now?

Also, what are some poor health signs I should look out for?

 

[Mamatomany123]

,they need a heat source that can keep it around 95 degrees. Lower 5 degrees every week. Heat only in one corner so they can cool down if needed on the other side of the brooder. Chick crumble and water are good. Keep brooder dry. They tend to spill water a lot when little. Best thing to watch is how much they act. Lots of chirping and crying, something may be wrong. Check for pasty butt also.

 

[pibb]

I think Mamatomany covered the basics.

Do you have a brooder and heat source?

 

[BallsEleven]

I think Mamatomany covered the basics.

Do you have a brooder and heat source?

No not yet. That is first on the list to get tomorrow. Right now I have a them in a box with a seed heating mat underneath. Trying to find something to take a temp in the box.

 

[pibb]

Can you put a towel or something over the heat mat like a cave so the towel can hold the heat in.

 

[RoosterML]

No not yet. That is first on the list to get tomorrow. Right now I have a them in a box with a seed heating mat underneath. Trying to find something to take a temp in the box.

View attachment 2083815

You might be fine with the seed heating mat. But yes you really need to figure out the temp.
From the picture they look either dead or happy. So whatever you are doing it must be working.

 

[Cryss]

Fill their waterer with pebbles. They have a bad habit of falling in even shallow bowls and drown because they can’t get themselves out.

 

[BallsEleven]

You might be fine with the seed heating mat. But yes you really need to figure out the temp.
From the picture they look either dead or happy. So whatever you are doing it must be working.

Haha definitely alive. They have spurts of falling asleep then popping to life and pecking at the crumble and evidently pooping in the water. I think they are just tired from being moved and from the kids holding them earlier. I have sentenced the kids to a no touch policy for at least the rest of the day to make sure the chicks can rest.

I have the heat map under a quarter of the box and that’s the side they are sticking to. I might grab an ambient bbq probe and see if I can get a decent reading off it.

 

[BallsEleven]

Ok so rule of thumb is 95 degrees and -5/week right?

How long until they are ready to be outside? When they no longer need the heat?

 

[Cryss]

Ok so rule of thumb is 95 degrees and -5/week right?

How long until they are ready to be outside? When they no longer need the heat?

Yes.
A couple of things show them as ready to be outside.
First they will be fully feathered, no down. This is around 5-6 weeks old.
Second as you adjust their heat weekly it will eventually reach the same temperature as outside.