Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[aart]

Not sure the tent is "the best brooder in the entire world".
Most the dust from chicks is the feathering sheathing from new feather growing in.

. After 10 days, I planned to remove the cardboard box and allow the chicks to be in the 8x8 tent with the brooder plate

I'd move them to the coop with the heater plate after a week or so.
Hopefully your coop is big enough(8' x 8'?) for people to hang out in there too.

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[ChickyCh00k]

Not sure the tent is "the best brooder in the entire world".
Most the dust from chicks is the feathering sheathing from new feather growing in.


I'd move them to the coop with the heater plate after a week or so.
Hopefully your coop is big enough(8' x 8'?) for people to hang out in there too.

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The tent is 8x8, so big enough to get in and sit with the chicks as they hop around and whatnot. I didn't know that about the dust! Very interesting - I assumed it came from the pine bedding that most use.

The coop is 4x6 (with nesting boxes extending outside the coop. It's a large Over EZ coop.) and it will be inside a 10x20 run. So, we could hang out in the run, but the coop isn't tall enough for my 6'1" son, lol.

 

[Folly's place]

Our chicks are in a brooder (100 gal. stock tank) in the garage, with either a heat lamp or the brooder plate, for two weeks. It's enough time for their Marek's vaccinations to take effect. then they move to a separate coop section, with that brooder plate, until they are feathered out and don't need the heat any more. Like mutts, we leave that brooder plate in longer in colder weather, and the chicks gradually stop using it. We don't add supplemental heat to the coop in winter, only have heated waterers.
Mary

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Welcome Chicky! The chicks do make a lot of dust, but the tent should help a lot. I used a tent over a tub I used as a dust bath in our basement. I had a handicapped chicken I kept in a brooder. Worked great.

I think (hope) the tent will be helpful for keeping any dust manageable. Different things work for different people!

I really have been trying to follow people who use evidence-based practices, and The Featherbrain (where I got the idea for the tent brooder/grow out area) cites all of the scientific research at the end of her blog posts. And that's not to discount the personal experiences of anyone else (those are also extremely valuable), I just want what's best for the chicks right from the start so they grow into happy, healthy (and TAME) hens!

This forum (in addition to my books and other online research) has been extememly helpful. I'm really grateful for everyone who has taken the time to offer advice/input! ❤

 

[Folly's place]

Dust! So very much dust! Having birds in the house ain't pretty, especially if anyone has asthma, for example. At least add an air cleaner in that room.
Mary

 

[ChickyCh00k]

Dust! So very much dust! Having birds in the house ain't pretty, especially if anyone has asthma, for example. At least add an air cleaner in that room.
Mary

No respiratory issues in the family, but I will definitely look into getting an air filter for that bedroom - thank you for that suggestion!

I do think the camping tent will help to contain much of the dust from the chicks themselves and I will not be using wood shavings or other dusty material for their litter. I guess I'll find out how well my plan works when the chicks come! I'll be sure to report back .

 

[uchytil]

The tent is 8x8, so big enough to get in and sit with the chicks as they hop around and whatnot. I didn't know that about the dust! Very interesting - I assumed it came from the pine bedding that most use.

The coop is 4x6 (with nesting boxes extending outside the coop. It's a large Over EZ coop.) and it will be inside a 10x20 run. So, we could hang out in the run, but the coop isn't tall enough for my 6'1" son, lol.

All birds make dust. The worst I ever saw was a friend that kept cockatoos in his house. The entire house was covered in white dust. Those things lived as long as people and he had wills for them. I would keep them outside if possible or you'll really be doing some cleaning and if you do keep them inside change your furnace air filer often. Return air from rooms goes to the filter at your furnace and will clog up.

 

[uchytil]

I still have baby goats for you...hint hint.

 

[Sally PB]

Drying the cherries was an outstanding success

Dried cherries... I'm really hoping our trees will bear next season.

I do think the camping tent will help to contain much of the dust from the chicks themselves and I will not be using wood shavings or other dusty material for their litter. I guess I'll find out how well my plan works when the chicks come! I'll be sure to report back

I bet the tent will contain a lot of the dust. But don't be surprised to find a layer of dust Every. Where. in that room. It will settle on every surface.

My first chicks were brooded in the living room, as it was March and still chilly. Never again. The second batch was out in the mud room, as it was June. Much better, but still dust got everywhere.

I'm hoping my next batch of chicks will be brooded by my Jubilee Orp who has been broody 3 times this summer. I told her, cool your jets until next spring, lady, and you can be a mommy.

 

[Sally PB]

@Folly's place, I want one of your roosters. I'm done with vacation (yay, actually; the trip wore me out). I'll PM you my questions, ok?