Master question thread

[mcbrown7513]

They will start to scratch on their own. I would leave them access to the heating pad. If the babies need to warm up, they will go to it. You can put the food and water out. Just make sure the water doesn't freeze.

 

[ShrekDawg]

They will start to scratch on their own. I would leave them access to the heating pad. If the babies need to warm up, they will go to it. You can put the food and water out. Just make sure the water doesn't freeze.

Thank you! I'll put the heating pad out with them then. probably water and food too but we'll see. I'm hoping to make a pretty big area though for them to really enjoy it

 

[mcbrown7513]

You will have some happy

.

 

[ShrekDawg]

I hope so! I think they've picked up some behavior problems from being so overcrowded. Or they're scared of me. Some pecked me.

Also they are piled up in a huge pile on the opposite corner from the heating pad, is that bad? See? They were on top of it the first time i went out (my mom had turned the light off so they were asleep but woke up from me checking on them so i turned big light on at least 10-20 mins then sat with them, etc. Etc. Then put flashlight on for 15 to let them go to bed) but now away from it. I worry. Especially with a real corner. The pool didn't have corners so maybe that is why but I have heard stories of suffocated chicks but have also heard 8 isn't enough pressure. Either way, it is COLD tonight and they have been in the house for 3 weeks so I am worried BUT I also have been hearing that right around 3 to 4 weeks is when they start piling up away from the heat so maybe kind of bad timing to put them out there/kind of a bad time for them to choose not to go under their first night in the cold.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Okay so they seem to be enjoying it but they are piled up in a huge pile on the opposite corner from the heating pad, is that bad? They were on top of it the first time i went out (my mom had turned the light off a bunch so they were asleep but woke up from me checking on them with flashlight so i turned big light on at least 10-20 mins then went back out and sat with them a bit, etc. Etc. Then put flashlight on for 15 to let them go to bed) but now away from it. I worry. Especially with a real corner. The pool didn't have corners so maybe that is why but I have heard stories of suffocated chicks but have also heard 8 isn't enough pressure. Either way, it is COLD tonight and they have been in the house for 3 weeks so I am worried BUT I also have been hearing, from this very thread, that right around 3 to 4 weeks is when they start piling up away from the heat so maybe kind of bad timing to put them out there/kind of a bad time for them to choose not to go under their first night in the cold. But my dad says it's not that cold tonight so who knows. I guess that isbwhat feathers are for. And they sure do havr a lot. The EEs have big huge full wings already which is hilarious considering their body size.

Here they are though.

See?

In corner.

MHP over here.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Also I really hope they enjoy their time outside tomorrow. although should I be giving them grit in advance?

 

[mcbrown7513]

Yes I would make sure they have grit first. That is what my research showed. Unfortunately I am not at 100 %. My migraines have been bad lately. One reason I haven't done day-olds yet. They huddle for warmth and company. I don't know how hot your pad gets. It may be too warm. If it has a thermostat try turning it down (electric blanket style). If not try to move t so not as much direct heat. Chicks will do their best to regulate their body heat. When I was growing up, my family had "production" poultry, not pets. I am learning chickens as pets now. So, I do remember some stuff. Not enough to say I am an expert.

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry i never replied.

Anyway, i just got 2 Home Depot buckets and 90° street elbows but my dad thinks they might be too big? I got 3" because 4" was way too huge and 2" looked too small. Maybe not though. So will 3" street elbow work or too big? I thought thats the size i'd heard

 

[mcbrown7513]

Sorry i never replied.

Anyway, i just got 2 Home Depot buckets and 90° street elbows but my dad thinks they might be too big? I got 3" because 4" was way too huge and 2" looked too small. Maybe not though. So will 3" street elbow work or too big? I thought thats the size i'd heard

No problem. My phone was broken. What are you using the buckets and pipe for?

 

[ShrekDawg]

Sorry about your phone! Assuming you got it fixed or got a new one now? As for the buckets and pipe, I'm hopefully going to be making feeders and waterers. PVC elbows, metal pipe would probably be too cold or heavy but yeah. I forgot the lids though (couldn't find them) so need to go back but yeah. I have all the water nipples so I guess I'll just put a bunch in the bucket but then I might also get more PVC and make the pipe waterer thing, not sure which one I like better. Either way, rhe elbows are for the feeder. I'm going to put the holes in the bucket and then I think just stick the elbows in but I might have to use glue or cut part of the pipe off, not sure yet, there's a thread I recently asked on. But yeah. I got 3 elbows so I can have 3 stations on the bucket but 2 might be enough and not sure 3 will fit but it should. The nipples I can fit a lot more. But yeah, I think the idea is that it keeps the food and water fresher and cleaner and I suppose more automatic so you don't have to change it as much. And with the feeder too I think a big thing with the bucket and especially with sticking their heads in is so that they don't waste nearly as much food. And if birds are a problem it's supposed to help with that too. I think the chicks are still much too young for the feeder but I will get started on the waterer soon as that has caused a lot of problems hah