Leaving chicks while at work

[AK Chickens]

Hello all, does anybody have some tips or advise for leaving new chicks while were at work. They will be inside the house away from other pet with plenty of food and water as well as heat. Thanks

 

[bobshere]

The most important part is the don't run out of heat water and food. My chicks are 2 1/2 weeks old now. What I have found is if you keep the food and water away from the heat there is much less chance of it filling up with shavings/bedding in turn keeping it much cleaner for the work day. My water stays clean all day since I have done that. I guess it depends on how large your brooder is. Mine is 6 feet long so the food and water is about 4 feet from the heat/lamp. Also prop the containers up on a piece of plywood or something to keep it out of the bedding. Also I have changed from a tray feeder to a plastic hanging feeder. I hang it a couple inches off the floor. makes it virtually mess free.....I havnt had to throw away any feed since I changed the feeder. Clean water, food and bedding are the most important part of raising chicks. I scoop my bin as often as I can. Anywhere from 3 to 8 times a day depending if im working...I have never lost a chick due to death so I must be doing something right....Im not sure how old your chicks are so if they are less than a week I wouldn't put the water and feed too far away from the heat. Just make sure they know where it is before you leave them alone. Mine took about 3 seconds to find it.....

Good Luck