Introducing the Ideal Dozen

[3KillerBs]

So I've put them to bed with the 250w bulb and will go check on them in about 15 minutes before I go to bed. Then I'll check on them in the middle of the night at least once.

I have to work tomorrow, but I gave the 15yo instructions and a checklist. The Cochins are his, really.

 

[Texasclucker]

Yay! love ideal it's my only hatchery I've ever ordered from so glad you chose them you will be satisfied!! and your babies are some cuties!!

 

[3KillerBs]

5:15am under the 250w bulb with an ambient temperature of 52F.

 

[3KillerBs]

I'm a little nervous about leaving them under the 100w when I left for work this morning, but I know that as soon as the sun was over the trees the 250w would cook them -- it's heading for the low 90's today if the forecast is right.

The 15yo has instructions to check them every hour and knows how to adjust the light and, if necessary, change bulbs.

 

[aart]

I'm a little nervous about leaving them under the 100w when I left for work this morning, but I know that as soon as the sun was over the trees the 250w would cook them -- it's heading for the low 90's today if the forecast is right.

The 15yo has instructions to check them every hour and knows how to adjust the light and, if necessary, change bulbs.

Looks like they have plenty of space to get away from the lamp.

 

[3KillerBs]

Looks like they have plenty of space to get away from the lamp.

I love using this big space for a brooder. It's been much easier to adjust than a small space. I don't know how people manage brooding in tiny tubs. This is a learning thing for making the built-in brooder in the new coop.

Even if it hits 95 ambient with the sun on the brooder I planned plenty of ventilation. The cover on the door lifts and it's possible to uncover almost the entirety of the far end. I have that end blocked off right now until I'm sure they're all able to find their heat, their food, and their water.

I just wish I were at home watching over them instead of at work.

 

[aart]

I just wish I were at home watching over them instead of at work.

I'll bet!

 

[3KillerBs]

The 15yo has done a good job watching over them. It's about 90 in the brooder right now with no heat on at all and the chicks are running around happily. We'll catch and inspect them all after dinner. I can see one that might or might not have a touch of pasty butt.

One has been sleeping more than the others, which concerns me, but I have also seen her eat and drink. I figure that by Monday any of those losses that happen when the egg yolk runs out will have happened and I can stop feeling the need to check them every hour.

 

[3KillerBs]

So, having caught and inspected them after dinner, about 50% of the chicks had developing pasty-butt with two of them rather bad. So a lot of gentle butt-washing with warm water and a paper towel.

I was wearing gloves because I have a synovial cyst on my finger that popped open (again!), today and, while I don't worry much about salmonella from backyard chickens, I don't need to introduce poop into an open conduit to the inside of my finger joint.

This was the worst case. There was only one who was completely clear.

I had asked the 15yo to give them wet mash early in the afternoon when it was getting hot and I gave them another dish of it after they'd had their backsides cleaned.

They've got one waterer with Sav-A-Chick in it and one waterer with plain water. I've seen them all drinking.

Hopefully this will clear up in a few days.

 

[3KillerBs]

We took individual photos before letting them loose again. I will be banding in the next few days as soon as I figure out what I want to do and how I want to keep records.