Like the arrival of most babies these came before we were quite perfectly prepared but with a little last minute scrambling to create curtains for the brooder we were ready for them. The shipping box looked surprisingly small for 25 chicks!
When I got them home and opened up the box I found the Urchs had included an extra chick so I popped all 26 into the budget brooder. I built it from leftover and salvaged materials; an excellent insulated skylight I saved from the landfill last summer and leftover siding from my house. About all I had to purchase were the electrical boxes and the heat lamp. I used a damaged heavy duty extension cord for the wiring and some old denim from the rag bag for the curtains.
I duct taped plastic over the openings in the back of our horse trailer and added a (hopefully) rat proof barrier. I haven't seen any sign of rodents since I brought home Theo the Barn Cat.
So I guess he's doing his job! I have explained that baby chickens are NOT part of his compensation package...
This Spring has been incredibly early; warm and sunny in FEBRUARY is not typical! But yesterday it turned cool and rainy and I had to make run to Island Hardware for another heat lamp. One 250w and a spot just wasn't getting the temperature high enough. With 2 - 250w heat lamps, one red and one regular, it's 95F degrees in the brooder. I also had to add some boards around the base, effectively closing off the gap beneath the denim curtains.
The insulated skylight allows great viewing of the peepers! As you can see, they are not all clustered together, trying to stay warm, nor are they hiding in the corners trying to stay cool so I think the temperature is about right. The skylight/brooder is 40 inches square and should be big enough for these chicks for quite a while.
Cute aren't they!
It's amazing how precocious they are; drinking and pecking at the chick starter immediately. I am feeding organic chick starter. It costs about 50% more than non-organic but considering how little they eat, it seems well worth it to start them off right.
Keep checking back for updates on the first generation of Heritage Black Java Chickens on Orcas Island!
