Shipped 4 week old silkies... help!

[Shellebelle920]

I’m scrambling to setup a brooder for ten 4 week old silkie chicks that should be arriving today via USPS. I was notified late afternoon yesterday that they had shipped. My 3 heat plates are currently being occupied by my 2 week old faverolles and silkies (brooder 1) and my 3 day old silkies (brooder 2). I ordered another heat plate but it isn’t due to arrive until tomorrow. The breeder told me that the chicks are currently on 60 watt bulb heat. Do you think I’d be okay to pull a heat plate from my 3 day old silkies (brooder 2)? There are 17 of them and one heat plate is supposed to fit 15 (according to premier 1). I have never used a heat lamp for chicks before and prefer puppy play pen brooders. I’m not sure how to attach one to that type of brooder without worrying about a fire. This sounds stupid, but would a regular desk lamp with a 60 watt lightbulbwork? I’ve never had chicks this old shipped to me before, so Im stressing a bit. I also only have nipple waterers, but I think they’re going to need free water immediately after shipping. Should I just put a dish of water out? I feel clueless despite having raised hundreds of chicks before. Lol.

Brooder #1 (21 faverolles and silkies- heat plate fit for 30)

Brooder #2 (3 day old silkies. 17 total. 2 heat plates each fit for 15 chicks).

Some of my faverolles and hatched silkies! Thanks for any help!

 

[CluckerFamily]

I personally would pull the heat plate from brooder 2 just until the other heat plate arrives. How warm is it in your house?

 

[Shellebelle920]

I think I’ll pull the heat plate from brooder 2 for now and put on the accessory wall heater in the room. They’re in a spare bedroom, but the temperature fluctuates wildly according to the outdoor temp. It’s currently pretty chilly up there (mid 60’s). I’m also thinking since the silkies are so small, they’d be able to fit under one heat plate for the day. Thanks for the response!

 

[JennAndHens]

Hi, I just got my first chicks and have a question, if you have a sec. when you have the chickens staggered by about two - three weeks apart, at what point will you integrate them? Is it more based on heat requirements or size / age of chicks?

 

[Lumley Farm]

I’m scrambling to setup a brooder for ten 4 week old silkie chicks that should be arriving today via USPS. I was notified late afternoon yesterday that they had shipped. My 3 heat plates are currently being occupied by my 2 week old faverolles and silkies (brooder 1) and my 3 day old silkies (brooder 2). I ordered another heat plate but it isn’t due to arrive until tomorrow. The breeder told me that the chicks are currently on 60 watt bulb heat. Do you think I’d be okay to pull a heat plate from my 3 day old silkies (brooder 2)? There are 17 of them and one heat plate is supposed to fit 15 (according to premier 1). I have never used a heat lamp for chicks before and prefer puppy play pen brooders. I’m not sure how to attach one to that type of brooder without worrying about a fire. This sounds stupid, but would a regular desk lamp with a 60 watt lightbulbwork? I’ve never had chicks this old shipped to me before, so Im stressing a bit. I also only have nipple waterers, but I think they’re going to need free water immediately after shipping. Should I just put a dish of water out? I feel clueless despite having raised hundreds of chicks before. Lol. View attachment 2613859Brooder #1 (21 faverolles and silkies- heat plate fit for 30)
View attachment 2613860
Brooder #2 (3 day old silkies. 17 total. 2 heat plates each fit for 15 chicks).
View attachment 2613861
View attachment 2613862Some of my faverolles and hatched silkies! Thanks for any help!

Too cudley cute!!!!