New 2-3wks old babies, LOTS of Questions

[Dixiedoodle]

Ok, I have only been a 'chicken Momma' for a year! I got 20+week olds last summer.. Sweet, fully grown looking girl's --just put them in the coop and waited for another 20weeks for my first eggs. I have had several deaths, gotten their care down pat. and am enjoying them SO much..WELL, I will be getting 11 --two to three week old chicks Monday evening. I have read every thing I could find but still have a ton of questions..

We are having really high temps up to 103* , high humdity almost every day-sending the heat endex well into the 100's-- will I need a heat lamp?

Can I use pine shavings now? This is what I use in my coop.
I have 1/4" hardware cloth under welded wire, on the sides/ solid bottom board, W/ a small pet crate insiide, for nights, IS this secure enough?

How large are 2 week old chickens (standard/large breeds).

What should I expect from them?? Thanks Dixie

 

[bonder]

Pine shavings should be fine. 2 weeks olds are still pretty small. I'd say small enough to fit in a coffee cup. I put a fan in the room with the chicks but not blowing on them and put a frozen bottle of water in the brooder box so they can get cool if they want. I've had to shut my heat lamp off, it's just too hot. I've been leaving a regular light on instead during the day and the heat lamp on from about midnight to 6 am. Haven't lost anybody due to the heat yet...