Newbie and I got my first chicks today... Excited but terrified!

[Guinea and Chicken raiser]

birds dying happens. just try to watch them as much as you can. be careful around stepping around them... not that i've stepped on a bird to kill it... i've accidently put a water container on top of a baby bantam, of my first time/first ones... it's easier for a bantam baby to die than a standard baby.

 

[MamaOf5Cuties]

Thanks! I am totally excited!

 

[eapowell]

I've had my new babies for about two weeks now and I still constantly check on them. I take them outside with me and they are never left outside unattended. I'm a worry wart. I'm always scared something will happen to them but it's been really fun. They have learned how to escape out of the plastic tote they were in and have made it a habit to get out and chirp loudly until one of us picks them up. My oldest, Biddy, has started getting in all his feathers and he looks pretty weird being half down and half feathered, but he still likes to cuddle with me and have me rub him where he can't reach to groom. Bella, our youngest, is content on following Biddy around and gets upset if she can't find him. I wouldn't worry too much about losing your babies if you have everything, and the people here are great for getting advice from

 

[MamaOf5Cuties]

Thanks! That does make me feel better. The lady at TSC scared me today telling me the red bulbs could start my plastic totes on fire and melt them and could start a cardboard brooder on fire also. Since we're keeping them in the house that scares me since I have 4 children! I do need to go get a bigger container though. The one I have barely has enough room! The waterer and feeder take up half of the tote!

 

[RonC]

Any incandesent light bulb puts out enough heat to cause a fire. Secure it so it will stay where you put it! Some say a white bulb will cause your chicks to be agressive to each other. I used a white one and had no problems.After about 3 weeks of a white heat lamp going I can understand it being annoying.You can use a regular bulb but will have to put it closer to get the same heat as a heat lamp. You can purchase regular bulb in red also if you wish.

 

[MamaOf5Cuties]

Yeah... I've decided I'm going to head out tomorrow and get that red bulb. My awesome husband is going out to buy the plywood to make what we need for a brooder rather than me buying a plastic container. He said it's not like we won't use it again so might as well make something that lasts. <3 Good man!

 

[sbucciarel]

lol ... I kept my brooder in the front room of my house until they were about 5-6 wks old and the smell was ... well, not real good for inside a house. They are happily in the coop outside now and doing fine.


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I did this too and felt horrible. I had no idea the he/she crept underneath as I was putting it down.

 

[MamaOf5Cuties]

Yeah I'm excited because DH is building something that will be ok for outside. lol I wouldn't mind having them inside, but I'd rather have them outside where they belong!