Nervous first time Chick Momma

[Chambertin]

I like red because the lamp itself is variable and more reactive to the settings than white bulbs. A little tweak on the know and you see a temperature change.
Kind of like the difference between electric stoves and gas stoves. The red ones were built for heat, and the white ones make heat.
Then again, it depends on the setup. It's not hard to just coat the bulb and make it "look" red.

About sleeping, the chicks sleep when they are tired. Most of mine are zoned out under the sun right now. Its not until they were old enough they didnt need a light that they got into real sleep cycles.
Because of the weather here (think Miami) the lights go off really early in their life and theres a short learning curve for day - night cycles.

 

[MontanaMomma]

Another thing about pasty butt- the only time I had trouble with it (well, I mean my chicks had trouble with it) was when I didn't have a little box for them to hide in to get out of the heat of the light. I researched and learned this is good practice to prevent pasty butt. A little box turned on its side works great. They usually sleep in it also.

 

[Acornewell]

I do have a box turned sideways for them to get in. They have been sleeping in it and also they get on top of it and perch on it. I just placed a piece of driftwood in there for them to roost on. They love sitting on the edge of things.

Is there anything I can do for them to have something to do or for an extra treat. Keeping in mind they are a week old today

I have some canteloupe I pulled today. I read that you have to be sure to give them grit...I know you can buy it, but is sand? Or a piece of earth with a bit of grass ok?

 

[chickenteacher2]

Someone on BYC said parrot grit - it's finer than regular chicken grit. I put it with yogurt and strawberries and egg yolk.

 

[Jakoda]

not an expert here, but I don't think they really need grit when they are this little,,I kept mine in the house until they were 4 weeks old, on chick starter and never gave grit until I moved them outside.

For a 'treat' I took their chick food, and made a mash out of it with water,,they went CRAZY for it, and I still do it for them once a day

I tried different fruits, but have found mine only tend to like watermelon, also scrambled eggs, boiled eggs, all mashed up tiny..

Never had pasty butts, I put ACV in their water daily..Mine just turned 10 weeks old, they are such fun and still very cute )

 

[chickenteacher2]

I think you give them grit if you feed them anything except their starter food. Helps digest food.