The babies are coming soon!

[Ccort]

Ok...Few questions as a newbie to babies....absolutely appreciate your help!

I am using a large dog crate as a brooder. Can I just use puppy pads for the bottom or will these get too messy? Do they need more of a "bedding" instead? If so, how about Carefree instead of pine shavings? We have lots of Carefresh around here.

The day of arrival...should I give them electrolytes to start them off well? What about any dewormer? I am going to use medicated chick starter and they are starting indoors.

IF I need Safeguard...which do I get? I dont see a bottle specifically for poultry.

Can we introduce the babies to our pet rabbits, dogs, cats? I am not an idiot and would do this carefully but wondering if there is anything our pets may spread to them?

Lastly, I am going to use the Brinsea warmer. I keep reading how they need a specific temperature in the brooder for week 1, week 2, etc. The Brinsea isn't temp adjustable. Do I really need to measure the temp or just keep the warmer on?

 

[rosemarythyme]

With using a dog crate, make absolutely sure you reinforce the openings with extra wire such as hardware cloth to prevent escapes, as chicks can fit through the typical openings in a wire dog crate. Some folks use puppy pads the first few days, some go straight to bedding. Up to you really. Mine go directly on the run floor, zero clean up.

I do Poultry Nutri-Drench at the very start instead of electrolytes, but you certainly can use electrolytes instead.

No reason to be worming baby chicks or any bird without verifying that it needs worming. If you suspect worms best to ID exactly what you're treating, as that can change the dosage or type of wormer needed.

There is no poultry Safeguard, Safeguard for goats is what most folks use if the need arises.

I personally would not introduce chicks to any other household pets, but my reasons are different than yours - I don't trust my dogs to not eat, attack, or harass them.

With a heat plate the heat is applied directly to the chicks, so there is no measuring ambient temperature to gauge if it's warm enough. As long as you can tell the plate is warmed up (pre-warm 24 hrs in advance before chicks arrive) and the height is set appropriately (generally recommended to have one side lower than the other, so chicks can lay under it as well as stand under it on the high end), then they should be fine as long as you follow the guidelines of the plate.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I'm mostly going to agree with Rosemary, that's good advice.

I am using a large dog crate as a brooder. Can I just use puppy pads for the bottom or will these get too messy?

What you need is something to absorb the moisture. Puppy pads can work. If they get messy, change them out.

The day of arrival...should I give them electrolytes to start them off well?

I never do, I just make sure they have clean water. Plenty of people automatically give them something you can get from the hatchery or the feed store. I don't see it as that you "should" do one thing or the other, do what you are comfortable with. If there are instructions, follow them. They might say just the first day or they might say to change out to fresh water after a certain time.

If it was a late shipment or if the chicks are acting lethargic then absolutely treat them. Electrolytes or Nutri Drench can be used. You can dissolve some sugar in water to give them a quick boost of energy. With individuals acting off I give them hummingbird liquid, the sugar gives them a good energy boost.

What about any dewormer?

When I was raising my kids I did not treat them for worms or lice just because I could. If they had a problem I'd treat them. If they did not have a problem I'd not treat them for a problem. I do the same with my chicks.

IF I need Safeguard...which do I get? I dont see a bottle specifically for poultry.

The active ingredient in Safeguard can cause feathers to grow in funny if you give it while they are molting. I'd assume it could do the same thing to chicks growing their first feathers.

Can we introduce the babies to our pet rabbits, dogs, cats? I am not an idiot and would do this carefully but wondering if there is anything our pets may spread to them?

In general, mammals don't give things to poultry or the other way around. There are some exceptions but not many. If one of your pets has something that can spread, it will almost certainly spread no matter what you do. I don't live my life in fear over something like that. It's a good question but I don't consider it a worry.

Lastly, I am going to use the Brinsea warmer. I keep reading how they need a specific temperature in the brooder for week 1, week 2, etc. The Brinsea isn't temp adjustable. Do I really need to measure the temp or just keep the warmer on?

They don't need a specific temperature. I know you read that a lot on here but you just don't. What you need in the brooder is a warm enough place in the coolest of conditions and a cool enough place in the warmest of conditions. You are brooding inside so that should be easy to do.

The way it works with a broody hen is that the chicks play our from under her until they need to warm up, then they go under her to warm up. Your heat plate should work the same way. If they get cold they will go under it and warm up. If they get too warm they'll leave. Don't be surprised if they start playing and sleeping on top at a really young age.

I know it is nerve wracking the first time, you just don't know what to expect. And you are responsible for several lives. If you pay attention while you raise them you'll see how resilient they are. There are things you need to do. They need clean water and a dry brooder. They need predator protection, that might even include your kids if they handle them too rough. They need age appropriate food. While young they need a warm place they can go to so they can warm up, but they also need a place they can cool off.

Ask questions, we'll try to get you through this. And you should do fine.

 

[nuthatched]

x2 I use puppy pads, the chicks can't shred and eat it like other bedding. You can put the feeder and water (if you have the canning jar type) in an upside down frisbee to contain the mess.

 

[Lenny loves chickens]

Looks like you have solid advice

 

[Ccort]

I'm mostly going to agree with Rosemary, that's good advice.


What you need is something to absorb the moisture. Puppy pads can work. If they get messy, change them out.


I never do, I just make sure they have clean water. Plenty of people automatically give them something you can get from the hatchery or the feed store. I don't see it as that you "should" do one thing or the other, do what you are comfortable with. If there are instructions, follow them. They might say just the first day or they might say to change out to fresh water after a certain time.

If it was a late shipment or if the chicks are acting lethargic then absolutely treat them. Electrolytes or Nutri Drench can be used. You can dissolve some sugar in water to give them a quick boost of energy. With individuals acting off I give them hummingbird liquid, the sugar gives them a good energy boost.


When I was raising my kids I did not treat them for worms or lice just because I could. If they had a problem I'd treat them. If they did not have a problem I'd not treat them for a problem. I do the same with my chicks.


The active ingredient in Safeguard can cause feathers to grow in funny if you give it while they are molting. I'd assume it could do the same thing to chicks growing their first feathers.


In general, mammals don't give things to poultry or the other way around. There are some exceptions but not many. If one of your pets has something that can spread, it will almost certainly spread no matter what you do. I don't live my life in fear over something like that. It's a good question but I don't consider it a worry.


They don't need a specific temperature. I know you read that a lot on here but you just don't. What you need in the brooder is a warm enough place in the coolest of conditions and a cool enough place in the warmest of conditions. You are brooding inside so that should be easy to do.

The way it works with a broody hen is that the chicks play our from under her until they need to warm up, then they go under her to warm up. Your heat plate should work the same way. If they get cold they will go under it and warm up. If they get too warm they'll leave. Don't be surprised if they start playing and sleeping on top at a really young age.

I know it is nerve wracking the first time, you just don't know what to expect. And you are responsible for several lives. If you pay attention while you raise them you'll see how resilient they are. There are things you need to do. They need clean water and a dry brooder. They need predator protection, that might even include your kids if they handle them too rough. They need age appropriate food. While young they need a warm place they can go to so they can warm up, but they also need a place they can cool off.

Ask questions, we'll try to get you through this. And you should do fine.

Thank you! And it IS nerve wrecking! I've fostered and owned a lot of animals, especially babies, but never a little chick. It's scared of messing something up! I'm glad you clarified about the warmer as well and I dont need to focus on a specific temp. That sounded like a terrible headache.

 

[Ccort]

x2 I use puppy pads, the chicks can't shred and eat it like other bedding. You can put the feeder and water (if you have the canning jar type) in an upside down frisbee to contain the mess.

I like this upside down Frisbee idea!