Thank Goodness. I lived in fear of a fire all the time. I hate leaving lights on at night and I always questioned if they were too warm/too cold. My chicks are 4 weeks old Saturday. This past Monday evening we left for our trip. Turned the brooder off and covered them with towels leaving a small window on the front so they could see out. They were indoors but the heat was off. One night it got down to 38 but that was the coldest, it was probably in the 50's in the house. Came home Wed night to 12 happy chirping, scratching chicks. They didn't even seem to miss it. I turned it on for a while and they seemed to be bothered by the light so I turned it back off when the house had warmed up. It's been off since! They are outside now, fully feathered (except the very tippy top of their heads) so I think they are going to be just fine.
Yesterday morning and this morning I went out to check on them first thing and they are so sweet out there. They see me coming and know I'm going to refill their food and let the ones that want to come out, out for a minute in my arms. Our roosters get really excited when they hear them and they respond to the crowing. They just seem happier out there with no light. Next week they move to the "young adult" brooder. It's a step up from their teenage brooder and that's a step up from baby brooder.
I can't believe how quickly they are growing and changing. Sweeter by the day.
Yesterday morning and this morning I went out to check on them first thing and they are so sweet out there. They see me coming and know I'm going to refill their food and let the ones that want to come out, out for a minute in my arms. Our roosters get really excited when they hear them and they respond to the crowing. They just seem happier out there with no light. Next week they move to the "young adult" brooder. It's a step up from their teenage brooder and that's a step up from baby brooder.
I can't believe how quickly they are growing and changing. Sweeter by the day.
