what age for roost in brooder* update pg 2,that did not go well, help!

[Smitty's Farm]

I think broken branches will be great. My Dh made a few ladder type roost out of brances last yr and we just leaned then against the brooder wall. We started out w/ broken branches and then progressed to the broom stick type.

What type of brooder do you have? Ours was a huge box, so he could just install the broom sticks by poking a hole on each side of the box to hold it in place.

 

[Curlita]

What diameter of branch? The dowel I have tried with them is about 1/2" and seems too small. I don't remember seeing roosts in the pens they were in when I got them, so they might just not be familiar with the concept yet...

 

[CritterHill]

Quote:
Definitely bigger than 1/2 inch. I have branches from 1 inch to maybe 2 inches in diameter in the brooder. They are 4 weeks and these seem to work well.

Out in the coop, we put up 2x4s for roosts. Some with the 2 inch side up and some with the 4 inch side up. I'll let you know how those work in a week or so once I get them out there.

 

[Jubaby]

I have 3/4" dowel rods stuck into the side of the box. I think branches work fine, too.

 

[CathyB]

Thanks everyone! That did not go as planned and now my chicks hate me! I put in a nice big stick for them in the brooder, which is a big box. Well, they got terrified, starting running around like crazy ladies peeping loudly as they went. One jumped on top the water with such force it sent it sprawling. I went to grab it, knocking the cover, which then fell in the brooder. Not on anyone. They then ran to the far corner of the brooder. I quick cleaned the wet litter, put the waterer back in and took out the branch. Now the rest of the day whenever I go near the brooder the chicks who would run up to me try to kill themselves getting to the back far corner of the brooder and will not come near me at all!! What do I do now?? I can't have my babies hate me.......

 

[CritterHill]

Oh, um, well, you weren't supposed to traumatize them!

If it were me, (and remember I have a whole whopping 4 weeks worth of experience with chicks, but mine seem to like me), I would put the stick back in - without crushing or mangling anything - and give them some scrambled egg or something at the same time.

I gave mine scrambled egg at 2 weeks, but I also gave them grit which I think you need to do if you give them anything other than starter.

 

[CathyB]

I did not mean to traumatize them

It happened so quick it was not even funny. I figure I will leave them alone tonight and start fresh in the morning with their yogurt?? I do not have grit yet so the egg suggestion will not work, thank you though CritterHill!

 

[Shaun Hagan]

My Barred Rocks freaked out for a while too. (not quite so badly) They ran to the opposite end of the brooder and screeched like crazy. After about fifteen minutes, when the stick didn't move, they got used to it. They freak out easily, they forget prretty quickly

 

[CathyB]

They forget quickly??My girls still hate me and its been hours! Maybe by tomorrow morning. I hope so!

 

[Chirpy]

I'd put it back in now and let them adjust to it. Just do it calmly and slowly and like it's no big deal and they'll get over the trauma of that terrible predator hanging in their cage really quickly.

They'll forgive you too. Chicks always think the sky is falling.