My first chicks!

[thecatumbrella]

Mine are outside playing in all temps but they can retreat to their heat whenever they need to. It was in the 50s this morning so I was out there for a while letting them enjoy some greens and explore.

They do very little going in for heat when the sun is shining.
View attachment 4304732

Do you brood outside completely? Or do you bring a heat source out with you?

 

[nutsoverfluffbutts22]

First poops always look weird since they haven’t eaten much yet. Should turn solid within the next day.

Ok, thank you! I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be that watery, thanks for clarifying

 

[nutsoverfluffbutts22]

It is currently 115 in the brooder, is that to hot? They have been sleeping a lot today but that is probably normal, being so adorable takes up a lot of energy!

 

[debid]

It is currently 115 in the brooder, is that to hot? They have been sleeping a lot today but that is probably normal, being so adorable takes up a lot of energy!

Are you intending to slow roast them? Yes, it's too hot.
Heat plate is SO MUCH EASIER but that kind of heat is enough to cause diarrhea, dehydration, and then electrolyte imbalance which shows as lethargy. They will die if they cannot find somewhere to cool off.

 

[debid]

Do you brood outside completely? Or do you bring a heat source out with you?

They're outside, the small coop is next door to the hen run.

 

[thecatumbrella]

It is currently 115 in the brooder, is that to hot? They have been sleeping a lot today but that is probably normal, being so adorable takes up a lot of energy!

It's not ideal to use a heat lamp in a tote brooder. 115 is WAY TO HOT.
Check out my heat plate article, and consider making the switch. In the meantime, you need to get some heat off them. They should have an area of the tote that's about 90-95 degrees, and another side that's completely room temperature to cool off and eat/drink.

 

[Debbie292d]

Mine are outside playing in all temps but they can retreat to their heat whenever they need to. It was in the 50s this morning so I was out there for a while letting them enjoy some greens and explore.

They do very little going in for heat when the sun is shining.
View attachment 4304732

Mine do too, but hers are a day old. After a couple of weeks, I was shocked when it hit 20F and they were frolicking around like it was nothing. They had a cozy coop heater in the hutch, and a momma that could only handle 1/4 of them at a time.

 

[nutsoverfluffbutts22]

Are you intending to slow roast them? Yes, it's too hot.
Heat plate is SO MUCH EASIER but that kind of heat is enough to cause diarrhea, dehydration, and then electrolyte imbalance which shows as lethargy. They will die if they cannot find somewhere to cool off.

Its cooling off, now they're much more energetic, thank you!

 

[debid]

Its cooling off, now they're much more energetic, thank you!

Please go get a heat plate or a huge cardboard box like a wardrobe packing box or a melon bin. Heat lamps are meant for heating a 6' cardboard ring in a barn, they are not appropriate for warming a plastic tote in your house.

 

[StinkyAcres]

Chicks need a warm side (90-95°F the first week and lowered 5 degrees each week) and a cool side (room temperature). A brooder that is too small (and heater that's too broad) does not allow them to get out of the heat to properly regulate their body temperature. You need a larger brooder and smaller feeders.