So a racoon got into our coop and wiped out the flock. I thought I had it blocked, but the dang thing still got in. We are Fort Knoxing the coop and pen while awaiting out new chicks...
I wanted to order 8 chicks, but ended up getting 15 because it was the same price since they jack up the shipping price for small orders...Another type of that chicken math that gets you with more chickens then you thought you'd have, but it all seems to be a good idea...
Anyway, we have hatched and raised chicks 2 to 4 at a time several times before. This is my first go round with 15 at once, lol. Trying to figure out how to confine them. I was going to keep them in the carport, but I am afraid of the racoon. I thought about the basement, but our indorr/outdoor cats live there at night. So likely it will be in our living room, lol, for at least the 1st week or so unitl I feel like they are all eating and drinking good. Then we will keep them in the closed coop until they are flying good. (Coop is a walk-in I built with 20 chickens in mind with a large fenced outdoor run.)
So for my questions....I want to build a momma hen heater for the 15, but am not sure the dimensions should be for all of them to fit? I have used one in the past with a always on heating pad, but it was sized for 3 chicks. Any suggestions and pics always welcome.
And what size pen do I need for 15 chicks? More then 1 feeder/waterer? I am likely going to set up a dog exercise pen and line the walls so the chicks can't get out. For the floor a tarp covered in puppy pads to start. I don't want the dust of shavings if I can avoid it for now. Any suggestions/pics of how you raise larger numbers of chicks? I like being able to pick them up and "play" with them when they are little, and our coop is fairly far from the house, so indoor tips appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Lisa
I wanted to order 8 chicks, but ended up getting 15 because it was the same price since they jack up the shipping price for small orders...Another type of that chicken math that gets you with more chickens then you thought you'd have, but it all seems to be a good idea...
Anyway, we have hatched and raised chicks 2 to 4 at a time several times before. This is my first go round with 15 at once, lol. Trying to figure out how to confine them. I was going to keep them in the carport, but I am afraid of the racoon. I thought about the basement, but our indorr/outdoor cats live there at night. So likely it will be in our living room, lol, for at least the 1st week or so unitl I feel like they are all eating and drinking good. Then we will keep them in the closed coop until they are flying good. (Coop is a walk-in I built with 20 chickens in mind with a large fenced outdoor run.)
So for my questions....I want to build a momma hen heater for the 15, but am not sure the dimensions should be for all of them to fit? I have used one in the past with a always on heating pad, but it was sized for 3 chicks. Any suggestions and pics always welcome.
And what size pen do I need for 15 chicks? More then 1 feeder/waterer? I am likely going to set up a dog exercise pen and line the walls so the chicks can't get out. For the floor a tarp covered in puppy pads to start. I don't want the dust of shavings if I can avoid it for now. Any suggestions/pics of how you raise larger numbers of chicks? I like being able to pick them up and "play" with them when they are little, and our coop is fairly far from the house, so indoor tips appreciated!
Thanks in advance!
Lisa
