What are the most common mistakes?

[txchickie]

about the cedar----one 12ft wall of our run is made of cedar stays. No problems at all

 

[joedie]

I'm new to this also and started with 12 chicks. They are about 7 wks old now and pretty easy to care for but I did lose one. This is probably a fluke but just beware. One got herself stuck between the side of the cardboard box they were in and the plastic 1 gal. waterer.

There was probably a 3 inch space between them. This happened when they were about 3 wks old during the night. She was really peeping loudly, but I didn't make the connection. Anyway, the next morning I found her still alive but she only survived for a few hours. I think she was exhausted from trying to get out because she was soaking wet. We put her under the lights and tried to give her sugar water but it was too late.

Just something to think about. Things can a happen that we just don't anticipate. I wouldn't worry though too much about it or you won't get to enjoy them. They really are quite funny and hours of entertainment.

 

[wings]

Quote:
If they have a heat lamp, they will generally be pretty good. Just check on them before you go to bed for crowding or excessive peeping. It'll be fine!

 

[sunnychooks]

Loud peeping means they are hungry, cold or in pain. Lethargy is an obvious problem. Chicks will also be active and running around one minute and sound asleep the next. As with any baby, they sleep alot!
With my first batch of chicks I was obsessed with the temperature. The second batch, I kept an eye on it. Now, I don't even use one (I don't recommend that for first timers!!!!!) If you watch your chicks you will be able to easily tell if they are comfortable. Huddling together means they are cold. Spreading to the corners means they are hot and trying to get away from the heat (they may also pant). Huddling in ONE corner means there is a draft. I've found that if the brooder is large enough the chicks will go where they are comfortable. They will sometimes form a circle around the hottest part of the brooder and when they do that we call it a "chick wreath"!
One important piece of advice - Be sure to have an extra red bulb! You don't want your bulb to burn out on a Sunday night after all the stores are closed and you don't have a spare!
Above all, have fun and enjoy your chickies!!!

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
This is so true!!!!! I learned this the hard way and ended up with a space heater next to the dog kennel brooder from 11pm till 8am on a Sunday night

no supercenters here, gotta wait for it to open LOL!

 

[Davaroo]

Quote:
This is so true!!!!! I learned this the hard way and ended up with a space heater next to the dog kennel brooder from 11pm till 8am on a Sunday night

no supercenters here, gotta wait for it to open LOL!

You might add that to the list of common mistakes: NOT having redundant backups for everything.

 

[aidenbaby]

Yes, I'm currently regretting NOT having an extra waterer. That's ok. It's just one more reason to go back to the feed store.

 

[tdgill]

don't know if its been mentioned yet, but a 75 or 85 watt red flood light bulb works good too. had a few left from christmas outside decorations.

I originally bought a 250watt red heat lamp bulb. then had to put it a mile away from the brooder. it did heat the whole spare bedroom tho! (I did eventually make use of it when I moved chicks outside.) i used the flood light inside, even used a green one when my spare red went out - better than white still, and experimented with lower wattage bulbs too. they are harder to find in anything but white. I did find a yellow tint bulb that was insect avoider, and a pinkish bulb too. I used these in the daytime and my red bulbs at nite. I also made another reflector outa a aluminum bake pan.

the aquarium brooder ended up with two candelabra type (orange color) bulbs at 25 watt each (total of 50w) with room to get away if too warm. watch your chicks behavior - you'll know. thats the enjoyment anyway, watching them.

 

[JennsPeeps]

Keep in mind re: raising chicks that for every post you read about deaths, there are many untold stories of healthy broods.

Of my 3 broods of 3, 2, and 5 I've never had a loss. Follow the advice you see on BYC and chances are good you'll have a healthy brood, too.

 

[Kait27]

about the cedar shavings- does any one know why they even make them? they're not healthy for any animal to be in, chicken or otherwise. We learned that lesson years ago with some guinea pigs. Imagine spending your whole life inside a cedar sweater chest. Talk about respiratory problems!