I need HELP with my brooder??

[wendy93089]

I just got 4 baby chicks today from someone who ordered 25. They were born on saturday.I have them in a storage bin with newspaper on the bottom and pine shavings on top. They have water and some oatmeal flakes (feed store was closed). I bought a heat lamp but they didnt have 250 watts so i had to get a 150 watt (is that ok?). I put a digital thermometer and it says 89.9. It feels hott in the storage bin i dont want them to be too hot or are they suppose to be like that. everyone in my family keeps telling me they are gonna fry by the morning. Please help i have pictures of my set up if you want to see. Thanks

 

[HEChicken]

Huh - my feed store only had 250W and I was worried that was too hot so put it on a rheostat LOL. The way I determine whether they are too hot or cold is this. If they are huddled together under the heat lamp, they're too cold and you need to heat it up for them. If they are staying as far from the light as they can get, they're too hot and you need to cool it down. If they are spread out, relaxed and moving around - sometimes taking a nap under the heat - other times exploring the cooler areas of the brooder, it is just about right. You will need to cool it down a few degrees each week as they feather out until by 4-5 weeks they will no longer need supplemental heat. Hope this helps!

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

1. do you have eggs you can scramble or some cornmeal that you can mix with milk or water? I forgot why raw oats aren't good for chickens.
2. put paper towels over the pine shavings for a few days until they learn not to eat them.
3. they need it at about 90-95 degrees so they will be okay at that temp but warmer is better.
4. make sure that they can't fall in and drown in the water, some people put marbles in the water dish.
5. enjoy! and if you have any other questions please don't hesitate to ask! the only stupid question is the one that is never asked.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

this is very helpful.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-care/chapter-4-caring-for-baby-chicks.aspx

 

[ruthless]

Make sure that they have an area to move away from the heat. LIke have the bulb on one end of brooder, so if they are too hot they can move to the other end of the brooder.

A regular house lite bulb will work and be cooler, 60, 75 or 100 watt........check to see what gives you the right temp.

 

[Hollywood Chickens]

Quote:
why cooler?

Also see what foods you have around that you can give them, they will be fine with any of the following:

Cooked oatmeal, grits (cooked or raw) brewers yeast mixed with any grain adds nutrition, cooked rice cereal, and I have a chick food recipe if you are interested just let me know, it is made with common pantry items.

 

[foxnthehenhouse]

Sounds like your doing a great job wendy. Keep up the good work. Congratulations on your new flock. Keep checking out this site as its the best info on the net. good luck and have fun.

 

[wendy93089]

Thanks. Looks like they like the temp that is on right now. its about 89 degrees and they arent cuddling under the lamp or in different ends of the brooder. they are just eating and sleeping in different places but near each other. Tomorrow i will go to the feed store to buy them food. any suggestions on what kind to get them?

 

[tigercreek]

I would get a medicated chick starter for the first 8 weeks.