A waterer with fresh clean water is added along with a feeder. I clamped the heat lamp to a nearby bookshelf and placed a thermometer under it to make sure the temp is right at 100 degrees. When the temp stabilizes, it's time to add the chicks.
I keep them in the kiddie pool for a week or so. They start growing feathers real quick and will soon try to flutter over the edge of the pool and then it is time to go out into a closed in cage under the shed. They'll still have the heat lamp for a short while while adjusting to the outside elements. They are only cute like this for a week or so. Good thing or KFC may never have happened!...LOL
How long do they need to be under a regulated temperature?
ReplyDeletePP...Mine is a hit and miss approach. I keep mine at 100 degrees for one day and then raise the lamp away from them so the temp is between 90 and 95. In theory you are supposed to lower the temp by 5 degrees each week until you reach room temperature. I don't keep mine inside for that long. These little guys will have most of their feathers except for their heads in about 3 weeks. I keep burlap bags draped over the outside cage to block the wind and after two weeks or so I only use the lamp at night. You can watch the chicks and know when they are too hot or cold. If they are cold they will bunch up under the light. If they are too hot they will stand with their beaks open and look like they are gasping. When they are running all around their housing and only getting under or near the light to sleep, that is pretty much a comfortable environment for them.
ReplyDeletei am learning so much Mamma...and really enjoying this learning! keep us updated on everything! and keep taking pics - those little guys are sooo cute!
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber
kymber...I am glad you are learning from my ramblings...LOL They are cute to begin with...Lucky for us they outgrow that cuteness real quick and then you don't mind so much lopping off a head or 2 or 32! There is nothing more flavorful than a home grown chicken. Once you taste them, you will not want another store bought.
DeleteMamma - the chickens that we get at the store here are from a local farm. they are much smaller than other store-bought chickens - but the difference in taste is to die for. we are thinking about chickens but really need to focus on the garden this year - that's why i am enjoying these posts so much - i love to learn as much as i can before-hand. and i appreciate your taking the time to teach! thanks Mamma!
ReplyDeleteyour friend,
kymber