Posts are scaring me!

[claud]

Don't worry. If you have the basics everything will probably go just fine. They're usually very easy to raise - one reason why chickens in general are so popular. If you run into a special problem you can look it up as you go.
For the first week I use newspaper and then cover it with paper towels. This has always worked great for me but I've only raised 20 at a time. Then I switch to newspaper covered with pine shavings.
Have fun!

 

[Ridgerunner]

I saw a post by a guy that uses newspaper in his brooder, but covers it with old window screening. When it is time to change out the newspaper just wash the screening. He did mention to tape the edges to avoid sharp points.

My brooder has a hardware cloth floor. When I get my chicks, I plan to use newspaper (which will stop the draft) and cover it with 1/4" hardware cloth.

I saw another post which warned against using shavings for chicks unless it is covered with paper towels the first couple of days. The thought is that they will eat the shavings and fatally plug themselves up. Supposedly they learn what they are supposed to eat in a couple of days, then shavings without the paper towels are OK. I don't know if this is an Urban Legend or not. I have some trouble believing a chick would learn to NOT peck at something. I'll throw the warning out there anyway and hope someone with experience in this can comment.

 

[jvls1942]

Quote:
I have had that happen to me.the chick's crop was packed full of shavings.. what I did to prevent this, I thres in a few handfuls of cracked corn on the floor.. the chicks will peck at the yellow before the shavings.. I would not put chicks on newspaper.. it is too slick and they can get spraddle legs. had that happen also..

I like your idea with the 1/4 hdwe cloth over the newspaper.. sounds like it might be easy to keep clean..

 

[Ridgerunner]

I have had that happen to me.the chick's crop was packed full of shavings.. what I did to prevent this, I threw in a few handfuls of cracked corn on the floor.. the chicks will peck at the yellow before the shavings.


Thanks for sharing the experience. That's why I put the question out. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[LynneP]

I raised my first flock last year and had 100% success, largely because of doing research first. It seems overwhelming until you've had them a few days- I was in the brooder room with them very 2 hours, day and night.

(Brooder details on home page)

 

[I LOVE COCHINS]

Quote:
Hello, tulie13 and everyone!
I was searching the net for info on brooders and I came across this neat build it yourself brooder.
http://www.motherearthnews.com/Do-It-Yourself/1977-01-01/A-Quick-and-Simple-Outdoor-Brooder.aspx

I'm not an expert by any means, I have only ordered chicks twice but with 100% survival rate. What I did was do research about what the brooder should do for your chicks (it's their home). They need to have a heated area plus an area where if they get to warm they are able to move out from under the heat lamp. No drafts and make sure they have clean fresh food and water every day. This url that I will post next really helped me a lot on what to watch for.
http://www.angelfire.com/ar2/rojo1/brooding.html

Sure hope this helps out! Oh and the BYC is the best place to ask your questions.

 

[cmom]

Here is a great reference book, Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent guide, as well as this web site. This site is an excellent source of information.

Also here are some other good sites and info.
http://www.mypetchicken.com/aboutChickens.aspx
Henderson's Chicken Breed Chart
http://www.feathersite.com/Poultry/BRKPoultryPage.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/coopdesigns.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

 

[claud]

Quote:
Yes, as someone else said I think you should just brood them in the finished coop with a heat lamp. Just observe them to make sure your heat lamps are adjusted correctly.

 

[damselfish]

One positive to brooding them in the house for a while is that you will get them more used to humans, if that's what you're wanting to do. (Ahem, note my rationalization for playing with our chickens!)

We really enjoy having chicks in the house for the first few weeks. We use paper towels over shavings the first few days, then lots of pine shavings and make sure to stir it a lot and change it as needed. There is very little smell.

33 in one bathtub is a lot, though! The most we've had in the house is 17 and they stayed for over four weeks, but they had a huge box.

Temperature-wise given where you live, I think they'd do fine in the coop after a couple of weeks, with a heat lamp, thermometer and bedding as you said.

Besides, you may want to take a bath!

 

[tdgill]

I have an $8 kiddie pool in my spare room, which we are in alot on the computer....reading about chickens. They have done great in it and we cant leave them alone. Now I have a second pool flipped on top of that...with windows cut out and a little chick door and screened and the top (what was the bottom actually) cut out and framed/screened. Someone else mentioned using two kiddie pools, not sure if this is what they meant! hahah. It looks like a space ship. it would hold a good many chicks. and we use newspaper/paper towels, my chicks have gobbled the pine shavings, maybe larger shavings would be better...think i saw them at the other feed store in town.

i LOVE the window screen idea! not as cozy as bedding, it seems...but still a great idea. maybe just use a couple paper towels in a corner for them to lay on.