| Author |
Barnyard Buddies:  Brooder questions  |
|
|
CascadeFootHillsFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
133 Posts
Stephanie
Granite Falls
Wa.
USA
133 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 13 2010 : 9:15:14 PM
|
We are getting chicks tomorrow! We cleaned our wooden crate/brooder today and then I moved it into the garage and put the red light on to get it dry and start to warm the wood.
The temp on the thermometer is between 82-85, the plywood is hot, when I put my hands under the light area it burns me. But the temp is not up to 95. I am just concerned about the heat. I know we need to get it hot but that is so hot. Can it be that once the wood warms up the whole area will keep a nice even heat? I know the chicks will move to be comfy and I have to adjust the height of the light accordingly. I don't want the bedding (little wood pellets) or the wood to get so hot it combusts.
Just rambling now. Please write!
Stephanie
"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle." Irish Quote |
|
|
natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Apr 13 2010 : 9:27:48 PM
|
The 90-100 degrees is only for the first day. Then drop the temp to 80-90 and do this evey week folling until they feather out or you reach the normal outside temperature. Hope that helps.
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
 |
|
|
willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 03:27:26 AM
|
They should be at 90+ right under where the heat lamp is for the first WEEK not just the first day. the whole area doesn't need to be at 90+ you will have warm and cool spots. Then drop by 5 degrees per week until they feather. I have NEVER heard of shavings combusting from a heat lamp if the bulb wasn't close enough to touch them.
All that being said even though there are "rules" to follow - watch your chicks. If they are cold they will huddle together and if the are hot they will all get to the very edges of the brooder. You want them to be evenly dispersed in the brooder. Raise and lower the lamp as needed also keeping in mind that the temp will change in the brooder as the temperature changes in the garage during The day. Good luck!
Farmgirl Sister #17
Blog
www.eggsandherbs.com
|
|
|
|
farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 07:04:48 AM
|
The chicks will tell you if they are too cold or too hot. If they are all huddled together right under the heat lamp, you need to move the lamp down a bit. If they are all pressing at the sides of the brooder and panting, you need to move the lamp up. Its always nice to go out there to our brooder and see the little chicks running freely around the brooder...means we have the right temp. But believe me, I worried about it for awhile! I also have never heard of shavings combusting. If that was possible, I think the little chicks would be frying before the shavings did! Good luck with your new babies!
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.wakeupstartlearning.blogspot.com
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
|
|
|
CascadeFootHillsFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
133 Posts
Stephanie
Granite Falls
Wa.
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2010 : 08:02:55 AM
|
Hi ladies, I just got the call that they are in. The co-op is even giving them organic food that I bought yesterday and pure water!
Thank you so much for the brooder help. I will be here all day to adjust the light and be the mother hen to them.
Do the baby chicks need grit right away? I read about that last night.
I will post pictures later.
Stephanie
"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle." Irish Quote |
|
|
|
CascadeFootHillsFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
133 Posts
Stephanie
Granite Falls
Wa.
USA
133 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2010 : 7:15:59 PM
|
Everything is going well. I love having them here. I even went and bought 1 more. An Easter Egger....got to have the excitement of not knowing what color her eggs will be!
My other chicas are all brown layers. One of them has a twitch (head area). Is that neurological? Also getting a few with hard poop buns. I have been giving them short little warm baths to get it off. I was told to get some cracked corn and that would help out. Do you agree?
Temp is going well too. My 6 year old is keeping a log of temps and being very "big boy" about it.
Do you use animal bedding that is like pellets? It has a smell like a mill b/c it is so warm. Like it's been treated with something. Not very ala natural to walk into the garage and smell. Any thoughts on that?
Overall a very great experience, we are on our 3rd day.
Stephanie
"A cabin with plenty of food is better than a hungry castle." Irish Quote |
|
|
|
nancypo
True Blue Farmgirl
362 Posts
nancy
boise
idaho
USA
362 Posts |
|
|
LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Apr 18 2010 : 10:32:56 AM
|
Oh Nancy, now I know why your name looks so familiar, lol!!!
I've seen you on BYC!!!!
I agree it is a great place to find out anything you want to know about chickens!
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
Nothing we achieve in this world is achieved alone. It is always achieved with others teaching us along the way. Lee J. Colan
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
|
|
| |
Barnyard Buddies: Brooder questions |
|
Brooder questions
