Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

[henless]

Unflavored Greek would be fine. The flavored yogurt usually has a lot of sugar in it. But, since she is not eating, it may be better for her to have some with the sugar. It wouldn't hurt to give her a little bit.

 

[MesMama]

Unflavored Greek would be fine. The flavored yogurt usually has a lot of sugar in it. But, since she is not eating, it may be better for her to have some with the sugar. It wouldn't hurt to give her a little bit.

Will do! Thank you

 

[bruceha2000]

Well everyone seems to be eating and drinking. A couple needed a little butt cleaning. One appears to have scab over the navel that I initially thought was pasty butt. But after cleaning, I see a little vent/sphincter action, and that scabby spot is in front of that. I dabbed a bit of antibiotic ointment on it and put them to bed. I'll see how she looks in the morning. I'll leave electrolyte water tonight and start probiotics tomorrow. The ones I have are added to the water, so I didn't want to add probiotics and electrolytes to the same water. I also turned on my iPod earlier to give them some background noise. They were quiet as could be after that! Now it's bedtime. If anyone has thoughts, I'm open! I've also realized how hard it is to see a chick's vent with these middle-aged eyes! I may have to use a magnifying glass! Thanks in advance!

Why the background noise? Background noise at night that comes out of an iPod is likely VERY unnatural. And whatever is natural in your area is already there.

 

[GardenNut]

Why the background noise? Background noise at night that comes out of an iPod is likely VERY unnatural.
And whatever is natural in your area is already there. 

Yeah I turn it off at night. I had one that would start yelling when it separated from the other three. As soon as I turned on some background noise, they all seemed to settle down. They are quite content today. The music is quite low, so they can hear the dogs in the neighborhood, birds, cars, etc. outside. By tomorrow, I doubt the music will even be needed. Trust me, I know it's not natural, but I figured they'd grown accustomed to a lot of noise since hatching and traveling.

 

[beautifulpirate]

Off subject but for anyone who wants to follow our progress on our coop construction, here is the link...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/1090742/beginning-coop-construction#post_16749813

 

[aart]

Like any of this is 'natural'

 

[ashleymroles]

Is it ok to give week old chicks the freeze dried meal worms as a treat?

Like everyone said, they'd need grit for that. If you want to win them over by giving treats, I recommend yogurt. Mine go crazy for it and there's no grit needed.

 

[bruceha2000]

Like any of this is 'natural'

Well, that is surely true!

But I'm all for getting as close as possible

Maybe someone will create an app that plays the sounds of happy chickens roosting at night.

 

[perchie.girl]

Always keep an eye on dogs that have never been around chickens.... That prey drive is sometimes snap judgment on their part. Set them up for success every time .

My Rosie Posie had never been around poultry. Sweet girl but shy, adopted from a kill shelter. Very very intelligent. My first (in her experience) chicks were brooded the old fashioned way in a kiddie swimming pool. She spent hours sitting like a vulture on the edge with glittering eyes and a drippy nose watching every movement. I knew better than mistake it for rapt love or any human expression. When I spotted her I would call her away to do something doggy fun Like ride in the truck or walk out to the horse to do chores.

I also Impressed on her that moment toward action with regards to chicks was met by My general command for back off. Which was for her the words "no dogs". I never left her unsupervised. By the time they were fledged she only showed casual interest. which convinced me we were good.

Oh and breed is a good indicator of success. She was an Austrailan shepherd cross with a dash of Greyhound in there somewhere. No terrier in the mix or hunting dog. The Aussie brain, and willing to please hard wire, was all there. I never raised my voice to her.


Rosie Checking the Parimeter. Cant keep solid gates on the wind here shatters them off their hinges.

 

[MesMama]

I agree dogs can not be trusted around little squeaky things that move around fast Ours are inside dogs with a fenced in yard, so while the chicks are inside here for the last couple of days the dogs are not allowed into the area where the chicks are at with out one of us moving the gate and letting them in. It's just not worth the risk of something happening