I am going to pick up my chicks on Monday. I will have to take a box to bring them home in. Do I need to put a heating pad or hot water bottle in there? It is approximately a 30 minute drive but they will be just hatched so I don't want to stress them too much. Any ideas?
It somewhat depends on how many you're getting. The more you have, the warmer they will be with each other's body heat. We brought home 2 and when we put them in the box they were peeping loudly. We put a handwarmer (you know the kind that heats up by itself when you open the package) in the box as soon as we got in the car and they sat on it and rode quietly all the way home If you want them to be comfortable and happy...put something warm in there.
Congratulations on getting your chicks! I would make sure that the box you choose is not huge. I would line the bottom of it with straw or hay so they don't slide around on your drive home. Make sure it has a lid to keep them warm. Also, be sure that it has holes in it. Depending on the amount of chicks that you are picking up, a shoebox would work great. It sounds like a good idea to put a hot water bottle in it on the way to get your chicks. Then take it out when you put them in and they will be warm and toasty for your ride home. I would also recommend warming up your brooder before you leave to get them so it will be ready when you get home. Enjoy your chicks!
I am picking up at least 20. She said she would set more eggs than that and I'd have to take all that hatch. They only sell hatch chicks by order so they don't keep any extras. I have a copy paper box that I thought would be a good size but I wasn't sure on the heat issue. It isn't like they'll be in the back of a truck but I know my car won't be 95 degrees, either!
I always use hand warmers btween two layers of old towel and a box they aren't crammed tight into but don't have a tone of room either.
I had to pick up a chick at the feed store 45 minutes away last week. I had a single chick hatch and he needed a friend. I dressed in lyaers, turned the car's heater all the way up to get the car warm on the way there. When I got the chick and was driving home I kept the heater on enough to keep the car pretty warm. I was hot. The chick seemed to do okay. It is doing well now.
