New to this.. it’s been interesting

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VirgiBear

In the Brooder
Apr 24, 2021
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Good morning! I’m new to all this, I’ve got 6 isa brown chicks, all insanely active!! After extensive research, we did the heating pad for warmth instead of a lamp for their brooder, which seems to be working well.
Just wanted to say hi, and hopefully things will go smoothly.. but figured joining would be smart since 90% of the things I’ve researched before we got the chicks and things I’ve wondered since getting them have brought me straight here:)
 

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sourland said:
Good morning, and welcome to BYC.
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Thanks! I’m very excited!!! We moved to this property about 3 years ago and I started researching chickens 2 years ago. Just didn’t want to jump in until I felt like we were ready, had things set up and situated, and learned enough to feel like we could raise them properly, with enough space safe from predators and things to keep them occupied and happy. Even with all my research, I still wasn’t totally prepped for how much they poop, haha! I spot clean their brooder all day long lol.
 
DobieLover said:
Hello and welcome to BYC! :frow Glad you joined.
Do you have a larger container for your brooder? You are going to need it in about a week! Try to find something that offers 2 sq ft per chick. If you have your coop and run already built and I would brood them in the coop.
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We do have a bigger thing with more space to move them to, which will be set up and situated sometime this week:) I’d love to move them to the coop, but the weather here has been completely bonkers! Went from 70+ for over a week with fairly mild nights down to freezing and it’s going to be fluctuating for the next month or so. I don’t think we could keep them comfy enough in terms of heat in the coop right now. But their space will be expanding, which I’m sure they’ll absolutely love!
 
VirgiBear said:
I don’t think we could keep them comfy enough in terms of heat in the coop right now.
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But you can!
I brooded chicks in the built in brooder in my coop using a brooder plate with a towel thrown over the top. When they were less than 2 weeks old, the overnight temp dipped to 23F. When I went out to the coop they were zipping all over the brooder chirping happily. When they got cold, they ran under the plate to warm up then zipped back out to eat, drink and flap around the brooder. It's always best to brood with as much fresh air as possible.

I've since had two broody hens raise chicks in early spring with similar dips in temperature.

All chicks thrived.
 
DobieLover said:
But you can!
I brooded chicks in the built in brooder in my coop using a brooder plate with a towel thrown over the top. When they were less than 2 weeks old, the overnight temp dipped to 23F. When I went out to the coop they were zipping all over the brooder chirping happily. When they got cold, they ran under the plate to warm up then zipped back out to eat, drink and flap around the brooder. It's always best to brood with as much fresh air as possible.

I've since had two broody hens raise chicks in early spring with similar dips in temperature.

All chicks thrived.
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Hmmm.. i super worried about the temps dipping so low, but fresh air is good and I do understand all the benefits of them just being outside.. I prefer to be outside too ha! I’ll look into it and see if it’s doable, thank you!
 

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