Silkies - They’re simply SPECTACULAR!

[LadiesAndJane]

Well i just got a brooder plate but it doesn't have a temp to know what it is...just says brooder or heater.

So I have been struggling all day long trying to get 99.5 even in a confined tiny bathroom.
It's this Producer's Pride Brooder And Coop Heater and in using it as brooder currently.

Your whole bathroom doesn’t have to be the temperature. The chicks just need to have access to heat that they can get to. That’s how the brooder plate works. It does not have a temperature setting, if you feel under it you can feel that it’s quite hot. I don’t know this brand, but it should be adjustable in height so that you can change the height as the chicks get bigger. I use the Brinsea models and the height is adjustable. I usually make the backend a little bit lower and the front end a little bit higher so the chicks can decide how much heat they want. I use converted chinchilla cages, I have some covered with plastic on the side to prevent drafts, others I drape a towel over the back end of the cage where the brooder plate is. Just like in nature they go to the mom for heat but then they venture out periodically and then just go back when they feel like they need to be warmed up. I do find the first night or two I have to stuff them under the heat as sometimes they’ll venture out and not be able to figure out how to get back under it when it’s dark. Once they figure it out then there’s nothing to worry about.
Here’s a few photos that show the brooder plates in action.

 

[Gammas Bearded Babies]

Your whole bathroom doesn’t have to be the temperature. The chicks just need to have access to heat that they can get to. That’s how the brooder plate works. It does not have a temperature setting,

THANK YOU SO MUCH for explaining it this way!!! I'm not sure if I forgot from when mine were chicks or just my fibro brain, hence these little chicks will be a miracle if they survive!
So I don't need to monitor temp underneath plate! What about the room they are in as a whole? Does it matter at all what temp it is?
The reason I ask is cause I would love for my broody to raise these chicks as soon as the large coop is finished (hopefully this weekend). I hadn't planned on her doing that but timing is perfect and less chance of me killing little things.
Our temps are all over the place with today's high of 73 and Friday low of 27.
The new coop is 38 square foot with a monitor roof as ventilation at 5' up.

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for explaining it this way!!! I'm not sure if I forgot from when mine were chicks or just my fibro brain, hence these little chicks will be a miracle if they survive!
So I don't need to monitor temp underneath plate! What about the room they are in as a whole? Does it matter at all what temp it is?
The reason I ask is cause I would love for my broody to raise these chicks as soon as the large coop is finished (hopefully this weekend). I hadn't planned on her doing that but timing is perfect and less chance of me killing little things.
Our temps are all over the place with today's high of 73 and Friday low of 27.
The new coop is 38 square foot with a monitor roof as ventilation at 5' up.

I have some outside with a broody right now, my temps aren't even getting to 40 but they've been fine. Maybe when it starts to get cold move them in somewhere warmer?

 

[LadiesAndJane]

THANK YOU SO MUCH for explaining it this way!!! I'm not sure if I forgot from when mine were chicks or just my fibro brain, hence these little chicks will be a miracle if they survive!
So I don't need to monitor temp underneath plate! What about the room they are in as a whole? Does it matter at all what temp it is?
The reason I ask is cause I would love for my broody to raise these chicks as soon as the large coop is finished (hopefully this weekend). I hadn't planned on her doing that but timing is perfect and less chance of me killing little things.
Our temps are all over the place with today's high of 73 and Friday low of 27.
The new coop is 38 square foot with a monitor roof as ventilation at 5' up.

You are welcome!
I have my chicks inside for about a week, then they go outside (with a brooder plate) to the front patio until they get moved on to new homes or out with the other birds. I do not have to deal with extremely cold temps. In Winter our house can get to low 60s (outside high 50s) and as hot as high 80s (no heat or air conditioning).
If your broody accepts the chicks, they should be fine. You may want to post the specifics of your circumstances on the raising chicks forum to get more responses from folks with more experience in that area (broody raising chicks).

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

You are welcome!
I have my chicks inside for about a week, then they go outside (with a brooder plate) to the front patio until they get moved on to new homes or out with the other birds. I do not have to deal with extremely cold temps. In Winter our house can get to low 60s (outside high 50s) and as hot as high 80s (no heat or air conditioning).
If your broody accepts the chicks, they should be fine. You may want to post the specifics of your circumstances on the raising chicks forum to get more responses from folks with more experience in that area (broody raising chicks).

This probably sounds weird but that's cool that you don't have ac or heat!

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Would anyone be able to guess a Silkies' sex real quick? It's a paint showgirl and the owner said they were born 3 -5 months ago. Not 100% sure, thinking it's a girl though because her brother is a definite male

The brother
V

 

[Fluffy Lambs]

Would anyone be able to guess a Silkies' sex real quick? It's a paint showgirl and the owner said they were born 3 -5 months ago. Not 100% sure, thinking it's a girl though because her brother is a definite male

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The brother
V
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I think the one your asking about is a girl. I love her cute little face! Does she have a double comb?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

I think the one your asking about is a girl. I love her cute little face! Does she have a double comb?

We have no clue about her comb, didn't really look at it honestly though besides size
I'm about 65% sure on her. The other 2 I'm looking at detonate are closer to the 95% range. She doesn't have as nice if a hen head and that's why I wanted a second opinion. Hate to spend 30$ on a boy again .

 

[LadiesAndJane]

Would anyone be able to guess a Silkies' sex real quick? It's a paint showgirl and the owner said they were born 3 -5 months ago. Not 100% sure, thinking it's a girl though because her brother is a definite male

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The brother
V
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Agreed. This little cutie (in first photo) looks female.

 

[LadiesAndJane]

This probably sounds weird but that's cool that you don't have ac or heat!

There are days in the Summer where airconditioning would be nice and some winter mornings can be cold (relatively).
Saves on energy bills anyway!