Michigan

[chikkaboomboom]

My chicks are 2 weeks old today, growing like weeds, we have some colder temps rolling in this week around 30* at night, I am wondering if I should move them to the coop or not, I planned on putting the heat lamp in there with them, on a secure chain of course, what if it goes out,??!! the coop is totally draft free......theres 16 of them so they generate fair body heat when they cuddle up together, I dont know maybe I should wait another week and hope the night time temps improve...What do you all think?
Thanks for any advice.. I also have another smaller heat lamp I could use in case one goes out.

 

[fifelakelooper]

I'd wait another week...if you are like me you will be constantly worrying!

 

[chikkaboomboom]

Quote:
Exactly... lol I can see me out there every 30 minutes allll night long with a flash light for a week..lol

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:
Exactly... lol I can see me out there every 30 minutes allll night long with a flash light for a week..lol

We think alike!

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

chickaboomboom, my chicks are just a couple weeks old too and I am going to wait till they are feathered out more before I move them out to the brooder area of the coop. Besides this way they get a little [ok, lots] more attention from me.

 

[bridgetteanne]

Quote:
Thank you so much, i still have not made up my mind if im going to get some chicks or not. the older ones are so easy right now.

. ok so now 20 questioins LOL What is a brooder??? How many chicken do you have?? i had heard from a friends that tomatoes are bad for the chicken is that true? what kind of chicks are you getting??

I love having them, they are so much fun so far. My kids love them too. thanks so much again. is really nice to talk to others who have chickens. Im just so new at this.

 

[Hillbilly Hen]

Quote:
bridgetteanne, see above picture, that is a brooder box. It is just a large cardboard box with a light securely hanging above one corner. I use a large tote for the first week or so then switch to a larger box. Most folks use paper towels or pee pads to line the bottom with and no shavings for the first few days. Having chicks can be fun! Chickens love tomatoes, at least mine do and they are still alive. It may be that the plant itself is not good for them but mine did not bother that part.

 

[dweej]

Quote:
Thank you so much, i still have not made up my mind if im going to get some chicks or not. the older ones are so easy right now.

. ok so now 20 questioins LOL What is a brooder??? How many chicken do you have?? i had heard from a friends that tomatoes are bad for the chicken is that true? what kind of chicks are you getting??

I love having them, they are so much fun so far. My kids love them too. thanks so much again. is really nice to talk to others who have chickens. Im just so new at this.

I am new to this too, so I can't answer about the tomatoes, but the brooder is the box/bin/enclosure that you'll keep the chicks in until their old enough and its warm enough to usher them out to the "big girl" coop. We started out with a black rubber horse feeder (which is usually a dog bathtub. We like to make do around here) with bedding at the bottom and a brooder light shining on them for warmth. Once they started hopping up on the edge (uh oh!) we busted out the baby playpen. Put a tarp down, then newspaper, then pine shavings. They've got their warming light, food and water and several "toys" that my hubby made out of wood scraps from his workshop. Here is a pic of the bigger brooder (currently in our utility room)

Hope that helps!

 

[chikkaboomboom]

Ok lets just keep this between us, I often put a chick in my shirt pocket while doing housework,

Its ok cause they snuggle right down and go to sleep..lol

 

[wyliefarms]

Hi everyone! It has been a few months since I have been one. Life is too busy to sit in front of the computer

Rachel, my daughter, is downsizing her flock. She is selling 8 white leghorn pullets. They are 11 months old. Asking $6 each.

We really need another coop! Rachel has 2 month old pullets that need a spot, so the leghorns go.

Sarah