Need advice on caring for my first chicks :)

[HeidiEmbrey]

Here's some more advice. You aren't baking bread. You don't need to keep the brooder all a uniform temperature. Chicks benefit by having a much cooler space in which to shed excess heat.

You seem to be familiar with reptiles. That's how baby chicks regulate their body heat as they are growing in real feathers. They move in and out of warm zones as needed. All they need is a warm spot to soak up needed heat and then they'll move away from it.

If you're going to use a direct contact heat source, you need to rig it so the chicks can make contact with their backs. Think broody hen and chicks snuggling under her feather skirts. Test the reptile pad to see if it reads on on its surface at least 75F or 25C. A stay-on heating pad may be better.

Thanks! Got it..ill look up some ways to do that.. I do have it where one side is cool and on side warm..i have the thermometer on the warm side.. i do have two reptiles an iguana and a turtle, but these are my first birds!

 

[HeidiEmbrey]

Here's the go-to thread on direct contact heat brooding. https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...er-picture-heavy-update.956958/#post-14882145

Love it! Thank you so much..I have the stuff to do this with too! Will see what I can come up with today

 

[HeidiEmbrey]

Here's some more advice. You aren't baking bread. You don't need to keep the brooder all a uniform temperature. Chicks benefit by having a much cooler space in which to shed excess heat.

You seem to be familiar with reptiles. That's how baby chicks regulate their body heat as they are growing in real feathers. They move in and out of warm zones as needed. All they need is a warm spot to soak up needed heat and then they'll move away from it.

If you're going to use a direct contact heat source, you need to rig it so the chicks can make contact with their backs. Think broody hen and chicks snuggling under her feather skirts. Test the reptile pad to see if it reads on on its surface at least 75F or 25C. A stay-on heating pad may be better.

my iguana can only have heat from the top or he will cook himself so I was worried and did not want to use that for the chicks till I researched it more. I thought the light would be ok but i think it's keeping them awake..

 

[HeidiEmbrey]

Salmon faverolles have 5 toes and feathered feet. They also have muffs and beards which makes the chicks have fluffy looking cheeks. So the one with the green grey feet is definitely not a faverolle, but still a super cute little chick.

omg youre right i thought the feet were the same number of toes but i looked closely and they are not! omg lol i wonder what the heck it is? It has a pea comb..another question to ask when i call them in 5 min lol

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I think they are adorable, and If you want them to be friendly I suggest you try to hold them gently and just sit with them so they get used to you because then they will have a higher chance of being friendly as adults.

 

[HeidiEmbrey]

I think they are adorable, and If you want them to be friendly I suggest you try to hold them gently and just sit with them so they get used to you because then they will have a higher chance of being friendly as adults.

Thank you, I'm on cloud 9..holding them =not a problem! Between the 5 of us here obsessed with them they are going to be the tamest chickens ever

 

[HeidiEmbrey]

I think they are adorable, and If you want them to be friendly I suggest you try to hold them gently and just sit with them so they get used to you because then they will have a higher chance of being friendly as adults.

I'm so surprised how friendly they are and seem to like snuggling and being petted!! I know they haven't been handled at all..

 

[igorsMistress]

Your chicks are adorable, thanks for sharing pics!
You're doing a great job. I hope you enjoy your birds and your time on BYC. Most folks here are super nice and helpful.
I'll be following to see more pics as your littles grow up. And to see if chicken math sets in of course. It's a disease I swear. Comminucable online with no direct human contact
Have a great day!

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I'm so surprised how friendly they are and seem to like snuggling and being petted!! I know they haven't been handled at all..

Yes, I say this because my pullets were very scared when they got home and didn't know any of their friends since they are different breeds.

 

[HeidiEmbrey]

Yes, I say this because my pullets were very scared when they got home and didn't know any of their friends since they are different breeds.

They were all in the same cage together at the shop I got them from and are getting along really well thank goodness..there were about 200 chicks there in a space not much bigger than ive got the 5 in now, and they have been away from their mother since birth have never seen their mother..she hatched them in an incubator from eggs.. so I think they are so relieved to get lots of space and food and snuggles..on the way home they were scared and i kept them on my lap and talked to them all the way home but as soon as i would stop talking they would start crying again..when i first got them home they were pecking each other a little and crying and looked disheveled and upset but now they are all cleaning each other and being lovey dovey together..so far so good! Thanks <3