@Sally PB
How many chicks are you getting? it all depends on how warm you can keep the brooder, I hung my refrigerator thermometer on the side on the crate so I knew how warm it was.
I have one of these that works good, but I found they were not running around enough getting exercise, they just wanted to be under the heat. Which is good for the first 2 days while they recover from shipping and adjusting to the new environment, and just being alive hahaha
I did use the Cozy -Coop heater with the Browns, I hung it on the side- I did get more movement but the brooder was till only 75 not quite 80, so under the orange one they went,
So I got the heat lamp out, they really liked the heat, but I think the lighting was irritating, and the Browns had been sleeping all night until the red light was on---
But for 4 days I had 2 brooders going,
Reds,I did use the Cozy -Coop heater but they wouldnt lay down and sleep, they just would stand until they fell over asleep, they all would crowd in front of it and push, also, I thought it was to hot, I couldnt lay my hand on it for more than a few sec.'s
I'm getting 5 chicks this Saturday. I plan to get everything set up today so that I can make sure the heat plate works, cut the cardboard to fit inside the dog crate/brooder, etc. I need to get chick feed too. I gave the bag I bought in March to my neighbor when she got chicks at the end of April.
I'm getting 5 chicks this Saturday. I plan to get everything set up today so that I can make sure the heat plate works, cut the cardboard to fit inside the dog crate/brooder, etc. I need to get chick feed too. I gave the bag I bought in March to my neighbor when she got chicks at the end of April.
I'm getting 5 chicks this Saturday. I plan to get everything set up today so that I can make sure the heat plate works, cut the cardboard to fit inside the dog crate/brooder, etc. I need to get chick feed too. I gave the bag I bought in March to my neighbor when she got chicks at the end of April.
with 5 the orange heater I have, they would fit under nicely, though under it they did stand so the heat touched their backs,
I liked using the dog crate, it was nice being able to see them and have the door. I did get a towel / bath mat for my knees, getting down on the floor so much they were hurting.
I did get a small bag of purina chick start unmedicated, I like to give it to them until everyone is pooping right, then I added with it the scratch & peck starter and a sprinkle of grit.
I am so happy for you to be getting chicks, they are so sweet to have. I am very tired though, it is a lot of monitoring for 3 weeks.
After a full morning, of working with the chicks.....I left them running loose while I watered the garden,, I watched from a distances, the older hens didnt mess with them Bob didnt bother them, it went very well
The Coop is Open The chicks didnt want to sleep on the roost, they wanted to lay in the sand, So last night I gave then nesting to lay on All poo scooped, everyone contained so the big hens dont eat the babies BK I gave them their bed back,
I'll go back out after a bit its only 54 out, so the chicks dont need to be out in the run yet.
Today, the Browns jumped up in the bottom box and then all of the Browns did, So, they liked it, I made steps for the tiny Reds,, We'll see if come bed time they get in it for the night.