Well, my chicks are lost in the mail

[MelanieR]

as the temps dipped into fifties last few nights and previously had been in the 60-70 range, the mommas got those little ones back up the ramp into the nest boxes and huddled. They had been on the floor with more space on warmer nights. Interesting that those hens have "built in" knowledge to deal with the chicks. Fantastic watching nature work. I had to fight the urge to grab those chicks up once hatched to get them into an environment I could control, glad I didn't.

That's adorable. Isn't nature grand?

 

[besjoux]

that is interesting about the temps. It's 90 here so I unplugged the brooder light. Well the brooder went down to 87 and they all crammed up in a ball to stay warm....so back on with the light. Tomorrow will be HOT so no light at all except at night. I feel like I am playing the light game right now. It's ALMOST hot enough but not quite. Funny how smart they are, even with the light off they went under the area where the light is and hung out. I guess my garage is cooler than the outside, which isn't bad.

 

[flewdacoop]

pics of the babies please

 

[besjoux]

pics of the babies please

I think photobucket works here. Just took some quick pictures

here is the brooder. Hard to take a picture with this lense though.


this is the one my son named Stripey. One of our EE's




our coop, we have to clean up the wood around and do some finishing touches but it is mostly done. roosts, chicken door, and even the run is complete....a little ahead of schedule. Need to stain but we can do that whenever it cools. I am DONE...even the clean up is hard for me with being 33 weeks pregnant and almost 100 out. Did I mention I hate this weather

 

[RonC]

Glad they made it ok. Sorry to add to your projects but you will need a lid for your brooder soon if you don't already have one. In a week they will have wing feathers and will be trying them out.

 

[besjoux]

Yes, DH is going to make one with leftover wood and hardware cloth. We want one anyways so we can open the garage and not freak out about our cats or predators. We were not going to do a lid because we were planning on putting in the coop next week (since it's so warm).....but I kinda like them in the garage, I can go out and play with them even more Plus I just want to check on them frequently during the day and it's easier if in the garage (which is attached to the house).

 

[RonC]

Putting them in the coop at two weeks would be a great idea. They would love the extra room. Securely mount the heat lamp where ever you decide to keep them, no fires. I would lock them inside except for supervised field trips for a week or two till they can find their way back inside. Just move their light out to the coop. At two weeks if your weather is like mine this year they may not need a lamp by them. You don't need to try and heat the whole coop just a small area for them to warm up if chilled. Make sure they have plenty of water and don't get too hot. That's a nice looking coop and run you have.

 

[besjoux]

Thank you, I think my husband had too much fun designing it. Everyone who comes here calls it the Palace for Chickens. I just hope it cools down some for us to work on it more in the evenings. Need to secure the nails from roofing in case they fly up. I'll try to get some pictures when finished too (including inside). We might just put them in there in 2 weeks. I do love being able to go out to see them every hour in the garage though. But right now they are, I guess, at a critical stage.

You are right about the heat. I turned off the light today and it's 90 in the brooder. I know that's 5 degrees cooler but they seem very comfortable. Not at all cold. Loving having these cuties. My first experience which has gone well thus far.

 

[HorseCrazyy]

Thats great, I'm glad you found your missing chicks

 

[Dylan6]

I am glad the made it ok