I think I have the basics for the brooder...

[Momagain1]

can anyone point out what I'm missing? (This is all on loan from my BIL, so no money spent yet!)

I still have to get the food and the "bedding" so to speak.

I have chicken wire to put up top of the round pond hard liner which we will use as the brooder.
The lamp and red bulb
The waterer and the feeder

Isnt that all they need for the first few weeks?? (I know; besides the food/water and bedding)

And for bedding is it better for pine shavings or sand? I've seen different ppl say different things.

OH I prob ably need a thermometer to make sure the temp is at (going from memory w/o looking) 95..
thats prob wrong; I'm gonna have to go back and look and write it down

TIA everyone!

 

[Michigan Transplant]

I am no expert by any means but I got 12 chicks this morning and have them in a dog cage. I am using the red 250 watt light in the silver shield, as well as the water and food are in there and for the bedding I have been shredding personal mail I no longer need and am using the shredded paper with a shelve liner on top. Last time for my 25 RIR's I just used the pine shavings NO CEDAR though. Sounds as if you have almost everything you are going to need. When you get the food and shavings you will be set. I have the light at one end so that they can get away from the heat if they are to hot and you were RIGHT about the 95 degrees. Relax and enjoy your babies. They are SO much fun to watch the first few days. Congrats!!!

 

[14 chickens & counting]

Quote:
This sounds like you have everything...I have my 12, 5 day old chicks in the brooder right now (and I am new to this too!). I just put PINE SHAVINGS in the bottom. I started with some old towels, switching them out everyday. I decided to go ahead and go with the shavings..They sure do poop a lot! Also, do get the thermometer..It'll help. GOOD LUCK!

 

[NonnasBabies]

I use pine shavings! And have NEVER used a thermometer. Your chicks will tell you if there cold or hot. Sounds like you have a pretty big brooder so if you keep the lamp on one side when they get warm they will have plenty of room to get away from the light. If they pile up on each other then their cold. Now don't be suprised if at night they pile all together cause every set of chicks I've had loves to sleep like that!! And just have fun. Oh get you a brick to put the waterer on to try and keep as much of the bedding out as you can.