need info fast !!!!!

[pedro24]

i order 36 Plymouth barred rock chick and they're coming may 7
and i totally forgot

about them so i need to know how hot does
a 4x2 box have to be and how far away the light has be so if you
know can you please help (first time having chicks). sorry about the rush
but i'm not the sharpest tool in the shed

thanks

 

[Tallgirl17]

Start with a temp of 95 then every week decrease by 5 degrees. At first I used a 150 watt bulb and now I have it to 100 watt. I keep digital a themomator (sp?) in the box to make sure the temp is right. And congrats on the new babies!

 

[beachchickie]

You did not say how old the chicks are. I think the first week the temp must be 90. Then drop 5 degress every week after until they have feathers. You will need to keep the heat at a level temp until they are at least 3 wks old. THen I put one lamp down at one end so they can regulate how warm they want to be. I may not be right on this but I have raised 5 flocks this way and never lost any chicks.

 

[jossanne]

I don't worry about exact temperature. I adjust the light so that the chicks are comfortable. If they're huddled under the heat lamp, they're too cool and I lower it. If they're all huddled away from the lamp, they're too hot and I raise it. If they're scattered all over, they're comfy. I don't even keep a thermo in my brooder anymore, though I obsessed over it with my first bunch. The numbers on it never seemed to match the comfort level of my chicks.

Good luck! We want pics when they get there!

 

[ozark hen]

Quote:
this is what you want to watch for. Jossane said it perfectly. You start with the 'about" temp. and go from there.

 

[dumb_cluck]

Also, don't forget the waterer, starter crumble and feeder and litter! NO CEDAR!

When you get them home, dip their beaks into the water so they can find it for themselves. Also if they have been shipped via PO, they will be very hungry!

The brooder temp adjust as the others have already stated. Good Luck!

 

[pedro24]

thanks guys just got my chicks
and they are one day old sorry about that
thanks for the info i will ask if i need more
info bye

 

[Laurajean]

Just a note here since someone mentioned dipping their beaks in the water. I discovered I had to do that REPEATEDLY with them for the first couple hours until they finally got it. I don't know if my chicks are slow or what, lol, but just be aware of it. One dip might not give them the message, so be sure to watch to see if they are drinking.