Waiting is SOOO hard

[downstownlady]

OH CONGRATS!!! I was the same way...now my little fuzzy butts are feathering butts!!! Have fun...I sure am!!!

 

[casumm]

Quote:
I did put the 250w heat bulb in my lamp. But I was having a lot of trouble keeping it under 110-120 degrees. I think I'll pickup a 100w and 60w to test and have on hand. I definite don't want to melt the socket or burn the place down! Thanks for the tip, JLS.

@Chickp: Looks like we'll be going with 60 or 100 in our lamp!p My guess is 60 will work best but I'll test 100w, just to be safe.p

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
I did put the 250w heat bulb in my lamp. But I was having a lot of trouble keeping it under 110-120 degrees. I think I'll pickup a 100w and 60w to test and have on hand. I definite don't want to melt the socket or burn the place down! Thanks for the tip, JLS.

@Chickp: Looks like we'll be going with 60 or 100 in our lamp!p My guess is 60 will work best but I'll test 100w, just to be safe.p

Something else to keep in mind. It's considered a good idea to always secure your lamp in two ways, one by using the clamp and another way - not sure how you can do that on that wood, you'd have to brainstorm.
Clamps fail, lamps fall and brooder fires result.

 

[Tomhusker]

You could drive a wood screw into the wood right there in one of the clamp loops. If the clamp fails the screw will catch it before it falls into the brooder. You could even ties it off with a safety wire attached to the screw if you want to go an extra step.

 

[joe17]

I dont and wouldnt suggest to dip the new chick's beak in water. Some people drown their chicks. They will learn themselves. Maybe if they havent learned to drink in a few hours, dip one's beak and the rest will follow. Good luck with them!

 

[LittleChocobo]

Man, that's so exciting!

I have to wait for all my stuff to come in the mail, and the shipping companies all just chuck their packages into the bushes at the side of our driveway so that we don't even always see them. >:

 

[casumm]

Quote:
Good idea. In fact, there is a hook just above my light "pole" that I use to hand a wreath on that I could just ziptie the cord to, just in case. Excellent ideas. Thanks for the suggestions. I hadn't read the "two mounts per brooder light" advice before. So glad I asked!!! I LOVE BYC.

-chris

 

[casumm]

Quote:
Oh, no! Does that mean no chicks at all or just a longer wait?!? I'm not sure that you should settle for no chicks at all. (You must have chicks! I ordered from MPC because of their small order option... if you need a backup plan!)

-chris

 

[casumm]

Quote:
Surely they won't leave your baby chicks in the bushes!!!! Did you have to oder the brooder too? What kind did you get?

I loved the cardboard circle type they had on My Pet Chicken but it was impractical with Hobbes, predator kitten extraordinaire, currently ruling our household with his reign of terror. We needed a lid! Plus, with the clear plastic, we have a great view of Chic TV. I hope that will help with the No Holding Chicks without Mommy rule that will be strictly enforces (using threats and double toddler-proof locks).

-chris

 

[casumm]

How silly is this? I should be working but instead I'm sitting here with a goofy grin on my face, thinking "Have they hatched yet? Are they in their little shipping box ready to come? Will they like each other? Will they like me? Will the post office call at 6 am tomorrow?"

I'm a nerd! A nerd who needs to get this article written and submitted to my editor so I can give in to Chick TV tomorrow, should it be airing on our front porch.

hehehe Thanks for the support everyone. I'm trying to keep my bellyflop into "Chicken Universe" on the downlow until we see how it goes and yet I'm bursting with excitement. So BYC, you get the brunt of my pent up excitement!

-chris