INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[Leahs Mom]

@LKShepherd
On the heat for your chicks...

I REALLY like the heat plates for when they are that age. Nice thing about them is that they'll go under if they still need the heat but they won't if they don't. You can judge by whether they are using it or not since it doesn't heat the area like a bulb does. Heat remains just under the plate so they can stand up against it to warm themselves unlike a light that heats a larger area. Once you see they're not using it you can remove it.

If you think you will have new chicks in the future, I'd encourage you to get a heat plate and set it up for them and see if they use it. If not, they you know they don't need it.

Here is the heat plate I'm using: http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=120893&criteria=heat+plate

I don't have or want a cover.


You would adjust it higher for your bigger kiddos.



See these little ones would sleep near or under - or half under depending on if they wanted more heat or not.




Now...just an experience of mine... I had chicks brooded by a mamma hen in very cold temps. By the age yours are, they were out from under her most of the time but still would go under on occasion and always at night. But the temps were below freezing during that time. They were acclimated because that's where they were hatched - out in the unheated chicken house.

Since yours have been inside and the temps are getting colder, they may need an adjustment time for a few days or so.

 

[Leahs Mom]

Quote:
You can send me a pm and we can discuss

 

[Leahs Mom]

@LKShepherd

Forgot to mention that the "sweeter heater" is another option that keeps the heat in a small area that you can adjust how high you hang it a bit higher for the young ones to go under as needed then remove when they aren't using.

http://sweeterheater.com/

Both of those options are less fire hazard as well.


And..for the record...
I don't heat my coop in winter either. But you do have to provide a heat source for the young'uns until they're old enough to not need it anymore.

 

[browncow15]

I'm going off of my first thought here, perhaps because I've had so many birds come down with this, so bear with me. What breed and age is this bird? Is she having any diarrhea, and if so is it somewhat eggy in consistency or appearance? Standing in a more upright, sort of penguin way? Has her comb drooped over or turned bluish and pale?

She's an ISA brown, just barely a year old. I haven't seen any diarrhea but she did have just a bit of egg white looking stuff stuck to her feathers around her vent. The funny thing is her comb isn't really pale, maybe slightly droopy. I'm not sure about her stance.

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

@LKShepherd On the heat for your chicks... I REALLY like the heat plates for when they are that age. Nice thing about them is that they'll go under if they still need the heat but they won't if they don't. You can judge by whether they are using it or not since it doesn't heat the area like a bulb does. Heat remains just under the plate so they can stand up against it to warm themselves unlike a light that heats a larger area. Once you see they're not using it you can remove it. If you think you will have new chicks in the future, I'd encourage you to get a heat plate and set it up for them and see if they use it. If not, they you know they don't need it. Here is the heat plate I'm using: http://www.premier1supplies.com/detail.php?prod_id=120893&criteria=heat+plate I don't have or want a cover. You would adjust it higher for your bigger kiddos. See these little ones would sleep near or under - or half under depending on if they wanted more heat or not. Now...just an experience of mine... I had chicks brooded by a mamma hen in very cold temps. By the age yours are, they were out from under her most of the time but still would go under on occasion and always at night. But the temps were below freezing during that time. They were acclimated because that's where they were hatched - out in the unheated chicken house. Since yours have been inside and the temps are getting colder, they may need an adjustment time for a few days or so.

I couldn't agree more! In comparison to the lamp, heat plates are so much better, more natural, easier to wean them off of, they're just amazing! I now have 2 heat plates (the Brinsea version because I got tired of waiting on reviews for the Premier1 version ) and love them! The babies seem to as well, and they are more robust earlier on, in my experience! My babies this year at 16 days old decided they didn't need heat anymore:

Plus, you get some wonderfully adorable pictures with them, like these:

Although sometimes they don't like to cooperate...

Point is, if you're planning on raising more chicks, heat plates are so worth the initial investment!

 

[iamfivewire]

we recently purchased the heatplate, & has been working out well for us.

 

[iamfivewire]

Egg production has tapered off quite a bit the past week or so . . . . . . . . . . . . . but we have 4 moulting & 1 broody

 

[pipdzipdnreadytogo]

She's an ISA brown, just barely a year old. I haven't seen any diarrhea but she did have just a bit of egg white looking stuff stuck to her feathers around her vent. The funny thing is her comb isn't really pale, maybe slightly droopy. I'm not sure about her stance.

Okay, don't hold me to it because I couldn't be sure without looking at your bird in person, but it sounds like an egg laying issue. Red sexlinks like ISA Browns are particularly prone to these issues, especially around 2-3 years old, though earlier or later is not out of the question. If her abdomen seems swollen and she's slowed down, you could be seeing early signs of internal laying, or she could have had something else happen like a weak egg breaking inside of her or something similar. I would keep her comfortable, make sure she gets plenty to eat and drink, and watch her very closely. My sexlinks did this a few times when they were younger, and they would eventually pass an empty egg membrane and then be fine. Hoping for the same with your girl!

Internally laying is what causes a swollen abdomen, penguin stance, the eggy portion of their droppings, and slowed behavior due to discomfort. Once egg yolk peritonitis sets in later on, that's usually the cause of a lot of moping, the drooping, pale, bluish comb, and diarrhea portion of the eggy dropping. It can be treated, but never completely cured, unfortunately, unless you can afford to have her implanted or spayed. Not trying to scare you, of course, just be aware of the signs if she starts to show them!

 

[browncow15]

Okay, don't hold me to it because I couldn't be sure without looking at your bird in person, but it sounds like an egg laying issue. Red sexlinks like ISA Browns are particularly prone to these issues, especially around 2-3 years old, though earlier or later is not out of the question. If her abdomen seems swollen and she's slowed down, you could be seeing early signs of internal laying, or she could have had something else happen like a weak egg breaking inside of her or something similar. I would keep her comfortable, make sure she gets plenty to eat and drink, and watch her very closely. My sexlinks did this a few times when they were younger, and they would eventually pass an empty egg membrane and then be fine. Hoping for the same with your girl!

Internally laying is what causes a swollen abdomen, penguin stance, the eggy portion of their droppings, and slowed behavior due to discomfort. Once egg yolk peritonitis sets in later on, that's usually the cause of a lot of moping, the drooping, pale, bluish comb, and diarrhea portion of the eggy dropping. It can be treated, but never completely cured, unfortunately, unless you can afford to have her implanted or spayed. Not trying to scare you, of course, just be aware of the signs if she starts to show them!

Thanks for the input. I'll keep an eye on her and see if she can't sort herself out.

 

[kabhyper1]

She looks rumpless almost but am not sure about her breed.

f they weren't adult dogs I would be very interested. I would love to add the breed here, They are perfect for our needs. I would neuter them without a doubt, a free ranging dog would need to be fixed.
I like what you have done! Well planned and I bet you are excited!

OH good to read this!

She is gorgeous! I love the maran breed. We are leaning more towards them as a permanent breed here.

Agreed, she does look sexlink with the brown chest. The boys keep a white dot a long time on the head.

Thanks Janet. I am excited about all the extra body heat in there for cold days. Also not having to dig my way into coops this winter will help. Hope Gus and Jules and doing well.