dawnbigfoot
Chirping
- Jul 10, 2015
- 10
- 2
- 59
I wanted to share my experiences with raising baby chicks at room temperature. This is my second time trying it after a successful first attempt. It helps that I live in an area that gets pretty hot in the summer. July and August temps are typically between 85 and 100 degrees during the day. I put a large plastic storage container elevated on top have a stable surface near a window for some light in the garage. I chose the garage because it stays the warmest. It also makes cleaning easier. I was paranoid about trying heat lamps because of fire issues and I just think having light the whole time isn't the greatest. The first time I did this a few years ago it went perfectly. I'm trying it again, and because we had a couple of days that dipped into the low 80s, making the overnight a little cooler than I wanted, I created a little box for them. I just went around and found an old camera box that was the right size took out all its innards and wrapped it in some fleece from old pajamas. Inside I put some straw and shredded fleece. I made the fleece too small for them to get tangled up in but too big for them to swallow or eat. I was worried about ventilation issues, so I cut a hole in the front and then popped the side down to make a little fleece cave on the side that would be an area a chick could move into if they felt a little crowded. I have a heating pad I stick to the side. I thought about putting it underneath and leaving it on overnight but, again I'm worried about potential fire hazard. I use the heating pad, however, to provide supplemental heat for a little bit here and there...on low. The chicks seem to be fairly comfortable. The first night I stuck them in the box and they stayed all night. I have a little camera I keep on them that has a temperature sensor. I've noticed a couple of times they might be huddled together but they'd soon be out and about and eating and scratching. As a bonus, they love the little insulated box I made them as a jungle gym. Anyway I'm curious if other people have had experiences raising chicks at room temperature during summer without having to use heat lamps or other external heat sources? I have a photo of my little box. It's not pretty but it's all stuff around the house that I repurposed. You'll see the little Bai base. I initially used that to keep bedding contained and make cleaning easier.
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