Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[chiques chicks]

They can learn nipple waterers at a layer age. Just hold their break against out until water dribbles in their mouth they'll figure it out. They are red for a reason. Chickens peck at red.
FWIW, I've found some made for rabbits that are brass. They are spring loaded and can be mounted horizontally. No worries about keeping them vertical so they don't leak. Not sure how they would work for poultry. They also sell "t's" for mounting without drilling holes. Not sure if they are the same thread as the chicken ones. I'll check when I get them if anyone cares.

 

[stake]

I just want a opinion from you seasoned chick raisers.

During my reading all the books said the chicks should be 90* the first week, 85* the next, 80* the next and so on. I just had the heat lamp available and they came and went from underneath it as they saw comfortable. Now that they are in the dog crate on the floor, I still have the heat lamp and they seem comfortable, sometimes sitting under it and sometimes exploring. Am I the only one who threw this rule out after a couple days and just used common sense?

Also, nipple waterers: if I haven't started yet when they are almost a month old, is it too late? I like the idea the more I see about it.

Annie:

My experience is not up to snuff with a bunch of folks, but, if they are a month old and down to the 70 degree mark, you might turn on the light when you go to bed and turn of during the day...if they are inside and get chilled, they'll scrum up....and I did the nipple thing and just gave up to a bowl of water.....I do hang a nipple inside the coop as backup water,,,and the they use it, but it too easy to fill a few bowls of water when they free range....my two cents

 

[chiques chicks]

Annie:

My experience is not up to snuff with a bunch of folks, but, if they are a month old and down to the 70 degree mark, you might turn on the light when you go to bed and turn of during the day...if they are inside and get chilled, they'll scrum up....and I did the nipple thing and just gave up to a bowl of water.....I do hang a nipple inside the coop as backup water,,,and the they use it, but it too easy to fill a few bowls of water when they free range....my two cents

I use bowls and I know wingstone does, too. Dump and refill. And in the winter just flip over, bust ice, refill.
I do use the hanging water things in my brooder so they don't slop quite as much

 

[AnneInTheBurbs]

Thanks everybody! I might just stick with the dishes of water.

 

[BullChick]

Quote: Peppermint oil repels mice too.
I have Tea Tree Oil, and keep forgetting about it.

Quote: I love my hanging waterers, but I am into the rubber bowls now too. It was a long winter with the current gang, and they were flooding the coop with their antics. I now have a bowl with a brick in it.

 

[LadyBehir]

Hey Little Miss Purdy! I am going to be in Shintown area tomorrow! I'll think of you as I drive through NB.

In other news...FOUR DAYS UNTIL I GET MY PEEPS! My sister is so excited, she's driving up from the Reading area to see them.

 

[LadyBehir]

Random silly that came across my Facebook feed.

 

[Spavlic]

Pittsburgh pa here

 

[fisherlady]

Pittsburgh pa here

Northern Indiana County here... welcome to our little group of enablers! We can help you find everything you never knew you wanted.

 

[Kiomey]

What breed is Betty? She's adorable!
Mine had a whole bin of CX last week.

Thanks, I had someone tell me she's a blue/black split orpington ^^ The guy I got her from in lancaster as a chick said australorp but I think he just had his bins confused lol

http://www.louisescountrycloset.com/

Chicken diapers. I have purchased from her before. Kiomey, she has patterns you will love! My chicken saddles are skull and crossbones. Shipping is quick.

Thanks I'll look into it!! Faerie festival will be so much fun if I can take a bird or two xD

Kiomey, is Betty a blue wyandotte?

I thought wyandottes had yellow legs and hers are really dark, so I can't say for sure, the guy selling chicks said australorp but he had bins of blr wyandottes and black/blue/lav orps too so maybe he was confused when he put together my order lol We call her 'Black Betty Bamalam' xD