Iowa Chicken Nooby

[MagpieDucks]

Yes, I had gotten them from Farm & Fleet. I called them about it and they say they have not lost any. The chick would sneeze at night and breathe with its mouth open like it was gasping. I would assume inferior genetics and being exposed to so many new pathogens between the store and my home are the culprits. It was runty and smaller than all the others. I have since raised the light a little because I noticed they were all sleeping in the furthest corners and added a fan angled towards that room to increase fresh air.

What kind of bedding are you using?

 

[IowaChickenNooby]

What kind of bedding are you using?

Kiln dried softwood. I had been told that was fine.

 

[drumstick diva]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens. Sorry for your loss.

 

[DobieLover]

Hello, Ryan, and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
Sorry for your loss. I hope the rest remain healthy.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Kiln dried softwood. I had been told that was fine.

How fine is it, texture wise?

 

[IowaChickenNooby]

How fine is it, texture wise?

Decent sized chips, nothin too fine. I'd say the average size would range from a quarter to 50 cent piece in size.

 

[Willowspirit]

Hi! Welcome. I'm sorry you lost a chick. That happened to me with y first half dozen too.

As for your question about naming, I haven't named my birds until I could pretty much tell them apart. That pretty much only means my Wyandottes which have size, color and personality differences.

Hope you enjoy being here and learning stuff here as much as i have!

 

[t3wine]

Hi and welcome! I’m fairly new to the site too but have had chickens off and on all my life. Sorry about your chick. I’m worried about your fan, drafts are not a good idea. Are you worried they are too warm. Do you have a thermometer?

 

[007Sean]

Howdy Ryan and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[IowaChickenNooby]

Hi and welcome! I’m fairly new to the site too but have had chickens off and on all my life. Sorry about your chick. I’m worried about your fan, drafts are not a good idea. Are you worried they are too warm. Do you have a thermometer?

I am not entirely worried about the heat so much as I am about the stagnant air. The room I have the brooder in is stuffy. I have the fan pointed at the door so that only some fresh air comes into them. In a sense, I am just trying to increase the circulation of the air in the room without creating extreme drafts, if that makes sense. The fan is on the lowest setting as well. I do turn it down/off when the temps reach a more reasonable level and the humidity/stuffiness goes away.

The brooder itself has a thermometer inside. At the moment it stays around 91 in the direct center, at the ground level, and the birds wander around as they please. During peak daytime, it can get to 99F so I try to control that a little with the fan. Figured an A/C unit would produce cold drafts that are even worse. Should I try bringing up the light some more? They like to pass out face down outside of the direct center of the light but not entirely in a pile. more like in a loose mess. Would it help if I just upload a photo?