INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[CluckAcres]

I'm trying to make one out of styrofoam. I am feeling pretty good about tweaking the temp to get it right. I'm just not sure where to place the thermostat. In all that I see it is either lying there or connected to the side of the cooler. In the hard plastic coolers I see screws, but I just don't know how well a screw would work with styrofoam. Plus I've heard putting the silver side closest to the light bulb is best but then the setting of the thermostat is between the thermostat and the wall of the cooler and is impossible to reach. any tips?

Oh, and I'm trying to calibrate my hygrometer, but it just isn't seeming to get above 52%. I'm thinking that it can't be THAT far off. In those tests I've been doing the 1/2 C salt, 1/4 C water. That has left it pretty soupy. From other videos I've watched, it seems that it shouldn't be that soupy. So for this last one I've done (it's currently in the bag, has been there almost three hours) I poured out the extra water. It's up to 56%. Am I doing something wrong or is my hygrometer terrible?!?!?!

Have you tried youtube? If you look for home made incubators on youtube will find lots of videos that use styrofoam.

 

[Chaneys Ranch]

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!
Will be back later to catch up!

 

[Leahs Mom]

I've seen folks make a "hospital" area by bringing them inside and keeping them isolated in an area like a dog crate or whatever you can rig. You can keep trying to get her to drink. Some use an eye dropper.

Is she refusing food and water?

 

[freeflyin]

Yes, I've tried searching here, Youtube and Google. For both things. My temp is staying really well after I fiddle with it, so I guess I'm not too worried about where to place the thermostat. And there is still hope for my hygrometer. I will go the whole 24 hours. I think that's smart especially with a gallon bag. Hopefully it gets up to the seventies at least!

 

[animallover2202]

I've seen folks make a "hospital" area by bringing them inside and keeping them isolated in an area like a dog crate or whatever you can rig. You can keep trying to get her to drink. Some use an eye dropper.

Is she refusing food and water?

yea i offered so many time for food and water but she wont take any and shes already inside i think ill use a laundry basket next to her friends in the brooder

 

[Kiniska]

Have a few silly questions for all you chicken lovers. First, I have found that I spend hours just mesmerized by watching the EO chicks interact with each other. Unfortunately to the detriment of my house chores. Will this fascination fade or is the cleanliness my house doomed to neglect from now on? By the way, the brooder is of course immaculate.

Second, can the male chicks be differentiated from the hens at 2+ weeks by behavior? I was absolutely not going to name the chicks until we knew which ones to keep but... there is this one.... It is 2x the size of all the other chicks though it hasn't gotten as many feathers as the others. It is very laid back and never seems to pick a fight. However if any of the others get into it this one steps in and stops the commotion. This chick watches everything with a keen eye and carries itself more up right. My husband has taken to calling it "The Judge". What do you all think?

 

[animallover2202]

can i use a niacin pill desolved in her water and if she doesnt have that defencitcy will the pill kill her??????? Please help i dont know what to do

 

[Leahs Mom]

I don't know about the niacin pill as I don't know the strength. Also, there are a couple of different formulations (chemistry) of niacin. I think one is synthetic. Not sure which one you have there.

The reason they use the Poly Vi Sol is that the dosage is lower.

They also have chick vitamin packs that you add to the water that you can usually get at Tractor Supply...at least we know those would be safe.

 

[animallover2202]

its 250 mg i have no money atm if i put a little bit in her water will it do anything???

 

[Leahs Mom]

I just pm'd you and some folks that may be helpful. I'm thinking that niacin pill in a very small amount in the water wouldn't hurt anything but that's just my guess. And we're not totally sure it's the b vitamin issue.

I'm hoping either of the 2 I sent a pm to will have some good advice.