"Louisiana "La-yers" Peeps"

[BayouPoules]

Paisaneaux,.. how's that little Bantam that wan't opening it's eyes?

 

[grambysfarm]

My Sussex started hatching this afternoon -- they are scheduled to hatch tomorrow.

I bought a dozen Buff Sussex eggs online and all 12 made it to lockdown. Three have already hatched.

On my Coronations, 16 out of 21 made it to lockdown. None have hatched yet but I do have one pipped egg so far.

 

[BayouPoules]

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Well,. nobody told the Sussex that they weren't due till tomorrow!

Keep us updated!

 

[Paisaneaux]

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Great! Here's a video:

Towards the end you can see it standing UNDER the yellow chick. I was concerned with the size difference, but they're getting along like peas and carrots. Four more hatched out tonight, so I've been scrambling to get this brooder set up. My trough has algae on the wall, and I can't get it off.

Good luck with your chicks/goslings/ducklings everyone!

 

[BayouPoules]

Aaawww,. she was just really pooped,.. hatching is such hard work!

Those are some great looking chicks Congrats!

 

[grambysfarm]

Quote:
Great! Here's a video:

Towards the end you can see it standing UNDER the yellow chick. I was concerned with the size difference, but they're getting along like peas and carrots. Four more hatched out tonight, so I've been scrambling to get this brooder set up. My trough has algae on the wall, and I can't get it off.

Good luck with your chicks/goslings/ducklings everyone!

Paisaneaux, your chicks are so cute! I love the chipmunk looking faces! You're doing great!!

I used to use aquariums for brooders but found that it was too much work to keep up with. I like to use the large clear plastic containers because they are easy to clean and easier to handle.

Your youtube videos are great! How do you create those?

 

[Paisaneaux]

Thanks!
I just set the rubbermaid horse trough with a 250 watt heat lamp. The ones in tractor supply and other feed stores are metal. Do ya'll think there's a chance of melting this thing? Also, how far from the bottom should the lamp be?

 

[New2TheCoop]

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I would just monitor it for the first few hours... One time after I cleaned their brooder out (an xl dog kennel, thick plastic) I clamped the light on the edge, but didn't realize the bulb was touching the side. Needless to say about 30 minutes later my house smelled like burnt plastic! But your probably okay as long as it's not touching the edge. Plastic shouldn't melt at 95 degrees.

 

[grambysfarm]

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I found this information online.

A 250-watt heat lamp suspended 18-24 inches over the brooding area that is completely surrounded by a draft guard 12-18 inches high will brood 75 chicks at 50F minimum room temperature. (If the minimum temperature is higher, you can add one chick for each degree. If the minimum temperature is lower, subtract one chick per degree.) This method works very well, but is absolutely dependent on the presence of an effective draft guard, which you can make out of cardboard, plywood, roofing paper, or whatever.

The heat lamp must be high enough that all the chicks can sprawl out in its warmth. If it's too low, they'll push and shove to get into the beam. If it's too high, they'll let you know because of the ear-splitting peeps the emit when they're cold.

Make sure the bulb can't fall to the ground. It can set litter on fire if it comes within a few inches of it. Hang it with a chain, and arrange it so the cord acts as a safety line in case it falls off the chain somehow.

 

[Paisaneaux]

Thanks, Twiley.
I've gotten too tired to get it together now, so I unplugged the new brooder and left everyone as they were for the night. Funny how simple tasks can become so daunting late at night.