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

[Blooie]

@junebuggena is kinder than I am. I'd say by 9 weeks old they don't need the heat, but you do! I evicted my first chicks when they were 5.5 weeks old. Coop wasn't even finished, and temps were in the 20s, but out they went! That was on April 1st and I put a heat lamp out there for them. They huddled together for security and a little warmth nowhere near the heat lamp for the first two nights. So I took it out on the third day. That night it snowed, and we didn't get our last snowfall until June 6th. If I'd waited to put those chicks out until it was warm enough, they'd have been laying eggs in the brooder! They did just great! The first night out there it got down into the teens! They're tougher than they look, really!

 

[dyorto]

I agree that I'm sure they'd be fine at 9 weeks. But you couple spend the next few days leaving them out all day and just bring them in at night to get them more used to it.

 

[junebuggena]

@junebuggena is kinder than I am. I'd say by 9 weeks old they don't need the heat, but you do! I evicted my first chicks when they were 5.5 weeks old. Coop wasn't even finished, and temps were in the 20s, but out they went! That was on April 1st and I put a heat lamp out there for them. They huddled together for security and a little warmth nowhere near the heat lamp for the first two nights. So I took it out on the third day. That night it snowed, and we didn't get our last snowfall until June 6th. If I'd waited to put those chicks out until it was warm enough, they'd have been laying eggs in the brooder! They did just great! The first night out there it got down into the teens! They're tougher than they look, really!

The thing is, she hasn't let them outside at all yet, and nighttime temps are well below freezing. In that situation, the chicks need to be hardened off a bit before they stay out.
They should have been outside a month ago, but some people have a really hard time coming to the realization that once those little puff balls are feathered in, they are no longer the fragile creatures they once were. Newbies tend to keep their chicks too warm, for too long.

 

[Jensownzoo]

I agree that I'm sure they'd be fine at 9 weeks. But you couple spend the next few days leaving them out all day and just bring them in at night to get them more used to it.

I Think this is a fine idea. They won't be stir-crazy at night while they're sleeping and during the day they'd be out on the "playground" exposed to cool temps.

 

[MesMama]

pretty much....  There are some differences in breeds with regard to wing feather development.  Some breeds you can sex the birds simply by looking at their Wittle wing feathers.

deb

Okay thanks for the info! I got a straight run of Welsummers...a few have ZERO tail feathers and the rest seem to be getting them. I tried to tell the diff by using the "V's" on top of their heads and they all look the same LOL! I need like a diagram or something ;P And not that it really matters if I wait a couple weeks to find out...it's just my impatience

 

[COChix]

So the Three Amigos are doing well. Did some attempts at sexing based on wing feathers this am, I am no expert but here is my guess. One row of feathers are cockerels, two rows are pullets.

First to hatch, pullet - EE

Second to hatch Olive Egger - cockerel

Harder to tell on this one, also an OE and I think it's a female. Harder to tell, wing feathers not as pronounced.

@perchie.girl how did I do, or anyone else?

Easy batch of chicks so far, they have been putting themselves to sleep, no lights or nothing. They went straight into the MHP brooder and are a bunch of experts at it already. Hoping to move them outside today or tomorrow. Been swamped and haven't had the time.....

 

[perchie.girl]

Quote:
No tail feathers are roos.... Hens develop all their feathers more quickly. If you band them now you will see. Wellies get very substantial legs so make sure to check fit and change out the bands as they grow.

Zip ties work....

 

[perchie.girl]

wing sexing for birds that are predisposed to it.



I think you may have got it. but Band em for id to confirm. Its all a learning experence. You can use zip ties loosly fitted so you can replace them when they are out grown.

deb

 

[beautifulpirate]

No tail feathers are roos....  Hens develop all their feathers more quickly.  If you band them now you will see.  Wellies get very substantial legs so make sure to check fit and change out the bands as they grow.

Zip ties work....

About the no tail feathers being roos... I have 2 wellies that are a little over 3 weeks old and one grew tail feathers fast, the other just has stubby bits. However the one with tail feathers has got some quick comb development already so I wouldn't always rely on that. I don't mind, I want a Welsummer roo but the whole thing is still much too early to tell for sure.

 

[COChix]

Nice!...How many did you end up with?

Just the three, horrible hatch.