Setting Today (03-02-2012)

[skunknchatter]

Just using my gator as brooder for the first 3 days. Easy to clean ( it's a cooler) and only one egg now. So does everyone feed the medicated chick starter?

 

[1sttimechick]

Mohillbilly.....Thanks, just so i understand completely, and i know i sound like an idiot, If they go in the brooder say, friday, The following friday i reduce the temp by 5 degrees? and at what point do i stop the heat?

MyNameIs86.... I went and bought 6 large moving boxes and used them all to make a brooder! My boyfriend thinks I'm nuts and says he feels like he is living with his mother again, because she is famous for taking any animal, or child, or anything/anyone that needs something, in to her home and taking care of it/ he/ she!! (Which i don't see as a bad thing, nor do i think he does, just a little crazy) Anyway, It is HUGE! I mean, if all 34 hatch, i certainly can put them in the rubbermaid container at first, but these little fluffy butts

are gonna grow, and quickly, so i decided that what i had initially thought would work, wouldn't and created one myself, and fairly cheaply, might i add. I paid 1.27 per box and 7 bucks for some heavy duty packing tape! Less than 15 bucks!

Its great that you have 10 left!

We are so close to lockdown! I cannot wait!

I started with 48 and had to toss 14 so far, expected because all but 12 were shipped.

 

[1sttimechick]

skunknchatter....I DEFINITELY was not going to use the medicated feed, because why would i give a newborn medicine? But after some research, and some chatting with friends, I have changed my mind about it, I will feed medicated for the first 2 weeks, after that i will start them on just regular starter feed. It is completely a personal choice so whatever you choose is fine!

How many eggs did you start with?

 

[1sttimechick]

Just an FYI, chickens don't pee....it is all expelled in one form, wet poop. I didn't know until i put my eggs in the bator! I have learned so much in the last 2 weeks!

 

[bobbi-j]

Another easy, although less scientific way to tell if your chicks are getting enough heat is to observe them. If they're crowded under the heat lamp, lower it a bit because they're not warm enough. If they're all scattered away from it, it's too hot. If they seem to be content and are making nice, soft contented sounding peeps instead of loud, distressed-sounding cheeping, it's just right. I used to use a thermometer, but now just watch and see how they act. Keep an eye on them, you'll have a good idea as to when to stop the heat. Depending on where you keep them, that will make a difference, too. Mine will be in a chicken coop (12'x8' shed) outside, so if it's cold out, I'll keep a lamp out there until they're fully feathered. If it gets hot out (what do I mean "if"? It was 78 degrees here in MN today!) Then I may take it out sooner.

Mohillbilly.....Thanks, just so i understand completely, and i know i sound like an idiot, If they go in the brooder say, friday, The following friday i reduce the temp by 5 degrees? and at what point do i stop the heat?

 

[chkinut]

i've always used cardboard boxes as brooders.....well...i've used the rubbermaid boxes for a very small number of chicks. but they do grow fast! anyway, i never had a problem with the bottom getting soaked with poop or pee. when they are just a few days old, i just put one layer of paper towels down. then later i use the wood chips (pine i think it was) and it's worked great. this year, i'm gonna try hay. i was happy with paper towels and wood chips, but i want to try hay cuz wood chips generate a lot of mess and dust. so....we'll see.

 

[1sttimechick]

So......until we convert our 8x10 shed into a coop....the chicks will be staying in our house. I have made a nice big brooder for them.
I will most definitely be watching their behavior!
Thank you all sooo much!

 

[chkinut]

nice job! they'll love all the space! tomorrow i will be working on mine. wow, what a fun upcoming week i've got! hatching eggs AND getting some EE and silkie eggs in the mail!!

 

[chkinut]

my first one hatched early before lockdown!! LOL! i'm glad i'm not hatching these guys! got this pic off the net (of course, lol)

 

[curranchickens]

So......until we convert our 8x10 shed into a coop....the chicks will be staying in our house. I have made a nice big brooder for them.
I will most definitely be watching their behavior!
Thank you all sooo much!

Just a little piece of information... I had baby chicks last year fr the first time. I also kept them inside my main living area. Within the first few weeks I learned something horrible. For some reason chicks create dust! I found a thick layer of dust covering EVERYTHING! I then read that this was common. I wish I had known before. We would have placed them in the basement. Just be warned.