NY chicken lover!!!!

[why do birds]

Evening all. The place was in an uproar when I got home. The chicks were out of food and complaining loudly. Amazing how quiet it gets when everyone eats! Gotta get them out in the coop. Just have to figure out how to rig up something to keep the older ones away from the younger ones. My project for tomorrow.

Today was a sad day for our town. You may have seen it on the news. Sgt Shawn Farrell was killed in Afghanistan a few days ago. His body was flown in to Stewart airport and escorted all the way back here by the military, state police, Patriot riders, fire truck and many others. People lined the streets to pay their respects, flags and signs were everywhere. I knew him from substituting in the local school district and my daughters knew him from school, having graduated before and after him. A sweet boy who wanted to help everyone and only ever wanted to serve his country since he was little. Couldnt wait till he could enlist. A life cut short for a young soldier. It seems surreal when we watch these things on the news but when it hits home, it hits hard. Regardless of how you feel about war, thank a soldier for their service. It may be the last thing they ever hear. Fair winds and following seas Sgt.

So sorry to hear of this loss! How terrible! God Bless him for his sacrifice for all of us.

 

[wny egger]

New chicken lover in N.Y. here!

welcome ..this thread moves very fast so hold on ..lol..some days it jumps 4 or 5 pages ..who new there were so many of us chicken people here in ny ..lol

 

[Glasshen]

Yes, welcome to the new folks, and we are kinda chatty!

 

[Basskids08]

Went on vacation and this made me miss my chickens even more!

 

[marquisella]

Quote: How many chicks do you have? I use a 90 watt bulb instead of a heat lamp. Keep it low, about 3 inches above their heads. Some will say that its better to use a red light, but I've used normal incandescent bulbs for years. When chickens want to sleep, they close their eyes and sleep. It doesn't do anything to them having a light on all the time. I have the same fear of using a heat lamp, especially now that some of them are falling out of the holders. If you have too many chicks to fit under one, hang 2 up next to each other. I have 2 lights in each brooder, inn case one goes out, there is still another one for warmth.

When chicks pile up for warmth, the bottom ones usually get squished & suffocate. Sometimes when I stop using the lights, and there are young chicks in the pen, the first few nights, I sometimes find dead ones, that were suffocated due to piling up.

I'm going to go take a picture of what I've been using in the house this year that takes care of the "dander" issue and allows me to keep track of them better so they can stay inside longer than usual...and I don't have fire fears as much .....I'll be back...
I"m back...here is the pic of the tote brooder that keeps dust down.

I cut a hole in the lid, big enough for the metal holder to fit on. Then I cut a piece of hardware cloth to fit on top & use duct tape to secure it. I have to replace the tape once a year or so. Actually, this one is a little small.

Then I put the lamp with a 60 watt incandescent bulb sitting on it.
I never close the lid completely, I leave it open a couple of inches otherwise the humidity builds up too much.

The chicks stay warm, there is no detectable dust or dander, and I can keep them inside longer than I use to. I use shavings in the bottom. The shavings keep it from smelling bad, of course you have to change it occasionally.

This particular tote has a gosling & ducklings in it and is out in the barn, but its the same idea as the one I keep inside. The one I use for newly hatched chicks is not as tall, maybe 8 inches or so. That is why a 60 watt bulb works. In this one I have a 100 watt bulb because its higher up. The chicks usually stay right under the light when they are sleeping.

Because the light is outside the box, there is no danger of it falling & causing a fire.

 

[Metella]

When you have the 100 watt - doesn't it get hot enough to melt the plastic ?

I like this set up .... I am fussing with what I have, and yours is better - I have some old window screens - I think I can do this with them - putting the lamp right against the screens ....

again - fire is a big concern of mine ...

 

[marquisella]

When you have the 100 watt - doesn't it get hot enough to melt the plastic ?

I like this set up .... I am fussing with what I have, and yours is better - I have some old window screens - I think I can do this with them - putting the lamp right against the screens ....

again - fire is a big concern of mine ...

Nope, I have a 100w bulb in the one you see, but for the shorter totes, I use a 75 or 60. the heat is directed down by the metal shade. If you use a screen, the dust will get out...

 

[Glasshen]

That brooder set up looks great! If I get chicks this year I'll make one like it. Saw chicks at the feed store and was able to resist! Mostly Barred Rocks and only two NH, a whole bunch of meaties.

 

[Metella]

and you are just setting the lamp loose on the top ? Right ? the duct tape is only to line the opening for heat to go straight down ?

I don't care about dust for my set up - they are in the garage; I just want a top that no critters can sneak into and the peeps can't hop/fly out the top ... but they are still a little too small and it is a little too cold for no light.


Also - I have that HUGE batch of eggs in Pyxis' bater .... ha ha ha ha

 

[Lynzi777]

I use the totes too for my brooders, they're so much easier to clean and keep the dust down. However the top is rarely on mine because of the kids wanting to see in :-/