The Middle Tennessee Thread

[Jenski]

Quote:
Tracyree, just watch the temps in those plastic bins. They can build up heat really quick! Put a digital thermometer on the floor where the chicks are.

Over the seasons I hatched indoors I ended up liking the fold-up metal dog kennels for brooders. I cut cardboard "bumpers" and attached them along the sides to keep drafts out, and I could put dowels in for perches later on. Worked great! One of my favorite brooder cages has been a plastic-bottom rabbit cage, though.


My very favorite brooder is a fluffy old hen. Nothing like 'em.

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I have babies under hens right now. It is awfully sweet watching them be mothers.

I have an old metal dog crate for a brooder. It is sturdy enough to keep the cats out and big enough to let them get to about 4 weeks before they are too cramped. We covered the sides in half inch hardware cloth so the babies and kitty paws can't get through. I hang the heat lamp on the inside and can tie it off really well so it won't fall or tip over. I don't trust those lamp clamps. When the babies are tiny I wrap the back half in an old towel. It keeps the drafts out and gives them a "cave" to escape to. Once they get zippier I fold the towel up out of the way so they can look out the window. It is one of the crate with a deep metal tray on the bottom that slides out for easy cleaning. I absolutely love it and hve used it for years. It is also really easy to take the whole thing outside for cleaning.

I just bought a 30"x30" rabbit cage and the pan to go under it. It works okay as a grow out space, but it is a lot messier. I don't use a heat lamp in that one. I got it to use as a grow out pen for when they just aren't quite big enough to go outside. Unfortunately they are big enough to kick shavings and poop everywhere and the rabbit wire is spaced in such a way as to allow for lots of mess. It would be great though if I wrapped it in hardware cloth. It was cheaper than a dog kennel though. I have also used it for sick birds when I needed to isolate them and it works great for that.

Lots of people use the plastic bins very successfully. Just be aware of the fire hazards and secure your heat lamp well. Don't rely on the clamp that comes with it to hold it in place, especially if there are animals or children that can get near it.

You have to post pics when your babies get there!

 

[1HappyFamily]

Quote:
I had great success with the plastic bins, I bought my 2 sets from different places & wanted to keep them separate (I bought them a week apart as well) for a while.... I did the plastic bins until they were about 4 weeks or so, they've been in the outside coop my husband built with a heat lamp for 3 weeks however they have a run as well that they go in on hot days or days above 75

I cannot wait until we get an entire coop & run put together now that my husband is home he will not be bored that's for sure!

I would like some advice on flooring for the coop! Any ideas or recommendations?

 

[cpegram]

I heard linoleum is an easy clean up. I have concrete in my main coop, wood in breeding, and cloth hardware with shavings for the grow out. Well all have shavings on top.

ETA I use the plastic bin for the first week which is in the laundry room. After that they go under the house in one of those huge water troughs like TSC uses till they go out

 

[1HappyFamily]

Quote:
I would have never even given linoleum a second thought, I love that if it can handle 5 kids in my house I'm sure chickens will be just fine haha! Thank you!!!!

 

[believer01]

Been researching about getting rid of parasites in all my animals and found some interesting info....

a parasite cleanse is more effective during the full moon, as this is when they let go of the internal lining (where ever they are in the body) and breed/lay eggs. So I'll be doing the follow-up worming today with Safeguard and follow that for the next week with an herbal formula. Going to give some to my doggies as well since I've seen them doing *what doggies do* with the chicken poo. Yuck!

Anybody interested in a mini-meet up this Sun?

 

[HBuehler]

Ahh crazy week here..more chicks are chirping in the bator though so some things are normal

A mini meet up would be fun this weekend..and I have some eggs if anyone "needs" some.It will be last call on the Ameraucana pen-they are being set free to enjoy the summer weather..I hear July is around the corner Where should this mini meet be?
I also have a few fluffy butts that would enjoy a new brooder to play in
I get to set some eggs again this weekend so wouldn't you know it one of my ladies caught Broody disease and spread it around my flock like the plague

 

[1HappyFamily]

Quote:
May I ask what the Broody Disease is?

I know I know

But I'm very very new lol!

I'll be in Lebanon on Sunday & could do one there but couldn't leave Lebanon because we will be there for the weekend visiting my Mother in Law who is set to have brain surgery next week... So I would leave my hubby & kiddo's there & just come hang out for a bit... Lebanon does have a nice park, Don Fox Community park...

 

[Raven1]

Holly did you decide if you wanted chicks or eggs from my Blue/Black Copper pen?
I just had one hen cured from the broody disease with 9 new peeps and another should be cured when I get home tonight

 

[HBuehler]

Broody hen disease is when overnight they all seem to go broody.Cochin's are hilarious though-they try to growl and look mean but they can't pull it off so they rely on their loving faces for you not to take her eggs away.Works here

Hope your mil does well...that sounds painful.I know they say it isn't but never less... Yes,we have the park in town and it has lots of covered pavilions for rain or sun..but if the sun's out heck with cover!! There is also Cedars for a more woodsy theme..
Becky-if you have chicks you would like to sell I will take them off your hands not a problem..not in a rush just want to add some that are not related to my hens..I'm thinking around 6-10 then I will have a few pullets hopefully.