i have been thinking about getting chickens for a while. Last fall I had a stray rooster. I couldn't catch him but what a personality. I was hooked after day 2. He ended up with my neighbors and their older chicken. They didn't want him originally but he kind of didn't give them a choice.
So today I went and got a coop and 4 chicks and 1 baby duck. 3 are about a week-week and a half and one is about 3 days old. I have them in the brooder but I have some questions. They seem to be eating an awful lot. I filled the feeder and after a few hours it's almost gone. They are drinking fine too. I got them eating out of my hand on my last visit with them. They are in an upstairs bathroom and I know they need to be warm, but every now and then I notice their mouths open. The lamp is as high as it can go and I repositioned it so they can get away from it, but even with mouths open they are staying put and huddling together. I move them, they go back. From what I am reading, the heat lamp can go off during the day(makes me nervous having it on when I'm not home) at about 4 weeks and on at night?
I'm super excited to learn and watch them grow. They are super sweet and I want them friendly, so I'm handling them often. A couple will now come to me when I put my hand in there.
I also have questions about ventilation once they are in the coop. There is a sliding door up near the roof. Should that be open all year round as long as it's not raining or snowing? The rain can get right in and I dont want them wet.
I'm thinking ahead and I think I'm going without a heating source in the winter. If anything I would consider those heating pads versus heat lamp. From what I understand, straw in roosting boxes and chips in tray?
I'm sure I will have more questions. I just want healthy and happy chickens that are safe.
So today I went and got a coop and 4 chicks and 1 baby duck. 3 are about a week-week and a half and one is about 3 days old. I have them in the brooder but I have some questions. They seem to be eating an awful lot. I filled the feeder and after a few hours it's almost gone. They are drinking fine too. I got them eating out of my hand on my last visit with them. They are in an upstairs bathroom and I know they need to be warm, but every now and then I notice their mouths open. The lamp is as high as it can go and I repositioned it so they can get away from it, but even with mouths open they are staying put and huddling together. I move them, they go back. From what I am reading, the heat lamp can go off during the day(makes me nervous having it on when I'm not home) at about 4 weeks and on at night?
I'm super excited to learn and watch them grow. They are super sweet and I want them friendly, so I'm handling them often. A couple will now come to me when I put my hand in there.
I also have questions about ventilation once they are in the coop. There is a sliding door up near the roof. Should that be open all year round as long as it's not raining or snowing? The rain can get right in and I dont want them wet.
I'm thinking ahead and I think I'm going without a heating source in the winter. If anything I would consider those heating pads versus heat lamp. From what I understand, straw in roosting boxes and chips in tray?
I'm sure I will have more questions. I just want healthy and happy chickens that are safe.
