Weird poop and other issues, MAJORLY concerned (first time)

[ChooksChick]

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Fabulous!

If you have a microwave, you can take a 1# bag of rice, put it in a glass bowl, and microwave it for 2 minutes. Then you'll put the rice in a plastic bag, then in an old towel you can get poopy. This will stay warm for a long time, and can be used to give yourself a break once in a while- put it in the same spot for them each time, so they get used to snuggling up to it.

Another thing you can do is to fill glass jars with VERY hot water and roll them in towels, and make a little circle out of them. The inner area stays warm for a long time, and they can go in there to warm up.

Heat is important enough that if you leave them for very long without it, they can die, so please find a way for them to have it consistently.

Good job so far!

 

[dawg53]

You might want to buy one of these if you havnt already done so. The bulb is a 250watt red heat bulb and your chicks will sleep better under the red light. White light bulbs tend to keep them awake. You can adjust the distance accordingly for the perfect temperature for them. If they are too cold, they will huddle towards the light, too warm and they'll go away from it. You want something in between. Home improvement stores have this setup. Hope this helps. ETA: Besides...you'll need it in the future when you get more chicks...heheheheh!

 

[ll]

cottoncandyx

Seems like you are going to be a great chicken mommy and this site is a world of knowledge - glad you found it!
I like the names chosen for your chicks, and best of luck to you.

 

[cottoncandyx]

I'm still a little distressed! I've made their coop, it's clean, they have water and food, warmth (sock and light), also I put in some roosters and toys. They are still crying non stop and I can't tend to them every second because of my work. Are they acting like this because they are used to being around people 24/7 the first week we got them, and because they never were contained in an environment cause we just let them roam freely around the house? So if so, hopefully by keeping them in the coop they'll get used to it!

 

[ChooksChick]

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Yes, they are looking for the mommy. So long as you're sure there is at least one spot that's around 100 degrees, the have food, water and can't be gotten by any predators, you can steel yourself to the sounds and they will get past it- promise!

It's hard, I know, but it's better this way. You can't have them on you all the time, but they've imprinted on you and will take some adjustment.

 

[cottoncandyx]

Perfect! Then I can stop thinking I'm doing something wrong and now I know I'm on the right track

They've been getting bigger, too! Their feathers on their wings are coming in.

The fatty never stops eating, I think the bulging crop is cute