Newbie needing help

[Criticalicious]

Next investment: a small bag of chick grit in a shallow dish. You can probably get it at Rural King but definitely at Tractor Supply or even Wal-Mart. Don't confuse grit with oyster shell. The bag at the pet store for pet birds sometimes has both words on the bag. Don't use that one.

I agree with others. Remove all heat sources EXCEPT the heat plate. When they grow a little bit, you can even raise the front two legs higher than the back, to make warmer and cooler areas. The chicks will self-regulate and they will grow in feathers faster.

Hope you have the coop ready NOW!

 

[Bulldog4675]

The plate is not intended to warm anything other than the area directly under it. You do not need your brooder to be at a certain temp. You just need enough area to be warm enough for the chicks. If they fit under the plate, then that is all they need. Also, the plate is not meant to warm the shavings, it is meant for them to stick their back against to directly warm themselves. The underside of the plate is most likely something like 120 degrees......which is by design. If you had a laser thermometer you could check. Normal thermometer a lot harder to use for that measurement.

 

[Bulldog4675]

I have a laser thermo. Shavings under plate are around 90 degrees.

 

[Bulldog4675]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us

Have you seen any of them drink? If not showing them the water would be my first priority after removing the heat lamp. I too would recommend filling the waterer with marbles or pebbles. I will also show a couple where the food is as well. What's the temperature in the room where the brooder is?

 

[Bulldog4675]

Temp in the room is about 68. They have been up to eat and drink and are now back to sleep. I guess they are happy. I wany them to be used to being handled, but ill give them afew days to destress and grt used to new environment

 

[Bulldog4675]

Next investment: a small bag of chick grit in a shallow dish. You can probably get it at Rural King but definitely at Tractor Supply or even Wal-Mart. Don't confuse grit with oyster shell. The bag at the pet store for pet birds sometimes has both words on the bag. Don't use that one.

I agree with others. Remove all heat sources EXCEPT the heat plate. When they grow a little bit, you can even raise the front two legs higher than the back, to make warmer and cooler areas. The chicks will self-regulate and they will grow in feathers faster.

Hope you have the coop ready NOW!

 

[Bulldog4675]

Does the grit go in a separate bowl? Does the grit help with digestion?

 

[paneubert]

I have a laser thermo. Shavings under plate are around 90 degrees.

Is the underside of the plate something like 120-130?

 

[Bulldog4675]

Next investment: a small bag of chick grit in a shallow dish. You can probably get it at Rural King but definitely at Tractor Supply or even Wal-Mart. Don't confuse grit with oyster shell. The bag at the pet store for pet birds sometimes has both words on the bag. Don't use that one.

I agree with others. Remove all heat sources EXCEPT the heat plate. When they grow a little bit, you can even raise the front two legs higher than the back, to make warmer and cooler areas. The chicks will self-regulate and they will grow in feathers faster.

Hope you have the coop ready NOW!

 

[Bulldog4675]

I think i have about 5 weeks before they will need the coop. It was about 2 degrees here last night