Too hot?

[animalspooker]

Not yet, but I hope to as soon as it warms up. The wife is not to keen on my keeping them in the house. I'm looking at more layer/meat chickens, so I don't really need to be getting too attached to them. I'm more 'just curious' about the whole chicken raising experience. Are your babies still doing better?

 

[aart]

Thanks guys! Late last night I expanded the brooder. They have lots of room now and the food and water is more spread out. I've already noticed it's much easier to keep clean. AND most importantly the chicks are active and running around the whole area. I saw them sleeping separately near the light but not directly under it this morning.

Thanks so very much guys!!!!!!

Bravo...nice little setup!

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

Thanks guys! Late last night I expanded the brooder. They have lots of room now and the food and water is more spread out. I've already noticed it's much easier to keep clean. AND most importantly the chicks are active and running around the whole area. I saw them sleeping separately near the light but not directly under it this morning.

Thanks so very much guys!!!!!!

They look great and much happier! And I agree, kudos on noticing the problem and finding help!

What about the OPs interaction question? How often and how much should we play with them?

I agree with Donrae, it really depends on what you are looking for with your chickens. I also noticed that some breeds, no matter how much you interact with them, are not going to enjoy being handled (my SSHamburgs for one)! I will be getting my third batch of babies this month, that will bring me up to 35! I plan on spending as much time as I can with them, I want them more trusting of me than my main flock!

 

[lazy gardener]

Good job DrFarmersDrWife.

 

[Cooper Farms]

Much better looking now I bet they r much happier

 

[kristin07035]

Ive been reading all your posts... and want to confirm a little cooler is better than a little warmer?
I have 3 almost 3 week old serama chicks.
They are in a bunny cage in a draft free room. Ive been upping the lamp/lowering the temp but this weekend it was down to 80* and they were all huddled together. I lowered it and the temp went up to 91* I've tried using different wattage bulbs at all different heights but I can't seem to find a medium. It's either 80* or 90*+
What should i do? They don't mind the warmer temp (actually think they like it better) but I would like them to get use to the cooler so i can transition them outside once they are fully feathered.

 

[TaraBellaBirds]

@kristin07035 Basic rule of thumb is to start new hatches at 100 then lower the temp by 5 every week. 80 is a bit low for 3 week olds. I personally would not put any chicks under 6 (probably closer to 8) weeks outside.

 

[kristin07035]

Yes agree not going to put them outside til at least 6 weeks.
I heard/read to start them at 95* & lower by 5* each week... but this is my first hatch so still learning

@kristin07035
  Basic rule of thumb is to start new hatches at 100 then lower the temp by 5 every week.  80 is a bit low for 3 week olds.  I personally would not put any chicks under 6 (probably closer to 8) weeks outside.  

 

[aart]

Get a dimmer extension cord....much easier way to adjust the temp.

You can gauge how much heat they need by how they act, they can be cooler than the 5 degree a week thing.

 

[flyladyrocks]

Get a dimmer extension cord....much easier way to adjust the temp.

You can gauge how much heat they need by how they act, they can be cooler than the 5 degree a week thing.

What brilliant idea! A dimmer extension cord - why didn't I think of that!! I forgot they even existed, I believe we even have one!