Will this work?

[yakmama]

Hi! I'm new to the board- but I've been lurking for a while now. I'm getting my little chickies from the hatchery tomorrow- I think I'm getting 5 (I really want 4, but I'm throwing in one more for good measure). I'm not 100% sure which ones I'll pick yet, but I think I'm going to get 2 Austrolorps, 1 RIR, 1 Leghorn, and 1 Auracuana (sp?).

I am setting up the brooder today and have heard some bad things about using pine- so I came up with an alternative I want to run by you.

I shredded up a magazine in really thin long strips and put it in the bottom of a large plastic bin. Then I'm going to layer sheets of paper towel on top (like 2 layers). Will this work? Will the print on the magazine or anything make them ill?

I also cleaned out the bin with lysol wipes- but now it has a strong odor. I hope it goes away by tomorrow- do you think that will hurt the chicks? I bought some chick feed at the feed store (it says 24%- is that right?) and also a warming light. It is a 250 watt red bulb- is that way too big for so few chicks?

Thanks for the input!

 

[Blue_Myst]

First of all!

I shredded up a magazine in really thin long strips and put it in the bottom of a large plastic bin. Then I'm going to layer sheets of paper towel on top (like 2 layers). Will this work? Will the print on the magazine or anything make them ill?

As long as the magazines aren't glossy-slippery or the ink rubs off that setup sounds fine. I did the same thing just with pine shavings. Just don't use un-shredded newspaper, because it can cause leg problems with your chicks.

I also cleaned out the bin with lysol wipes- but now it has a strong odor. I hope it goes away by tomorrow- do you think that will hurt the chicks?

I don't think that strong of an odor would be very good for the chicks. Just air it out really well.

It is a 250 watt red bulb- is that way too big for so few chicks?

A 250 watt may be a bit overkill, but as long as you have it securely fixed and far enough away from the brooder, it should work out nicely. The red bulb should work out great. From what I hear, chicks under red lights peck less than those under white light.

Your combination of chicks sounds great! Just a reminder, though, if you are getting them from a hatchery, the Auracuana (I forget how to spell it

) chicks are actually an Easter Eggers. They're very pretty and will give you green eggs!

Good luck!