martin gutzmer wrote:
> Hi Folks,
> I have 50+- chicks that are now 13 days old.
> I got a mixed straight run - so some are BIG and others ar not so
> much.
> Some seem ready to take off - others not.
> I have two rubbermaid tubs 2 x 4 x 2 feet, and the bigger chicks were
> escaping into the room!
>
> The average night temp is now 70 F and 80-90 F in the daytime - I have
> discontinued use of the heat lamp at daybreak, can I also discontinue
> it at night? they seem awfully hot.
> Also should I separate the little from the big, and keep them in,
> while letting the bigger ones have some more room?
> Please advise,
> Thanks,
> Martin
The best arrangement is to give them all a lot more space, but leaving the
lamp in situ for those who need the comfort or warmth.
If you take it away altogether you might get chilling nad crowding which
leads to suffocation.
You can raise the lamp so they are not too warm beneath it.
Then change the bulb for an ordinary one once its only being used for
comfort.
But the biggest thing they need is space.
They need to be inside until they are much better feathered - some more
weeks yet.
Make an enclosure that you can cover in bedding, pine shavings for
instance.
for 50 chicks this will need to be about 6 - 8 ft square at least and
bigger
again in a few weeks time.
You can put all sorts of good things in here to keep them entertained --
branches, greens, and such like.
--
regards
Jill Bowis
Domestic Poultry and Waterfowl Solutions
Herbaceous; Herb and Alpine Nursery
Seasonal Farm Food
http://www.kintaline.co.uk
|
