Our new little Chickie! I actually have zero clue what sex or breed this is!! Guess we will be surprised! This little one has the CUTEST feathered feet!
Having quite a few babies, we had to split them up into several little homes. I used plastic tubs and lined cardboard boxes, knowing we would be building a brooder box!
Willow ...being curious... or helpful??? Makes it a little difficult to get things done!
Since the Cowboy's accident, we have all had to learn to pitch in and try new things. The girls really wanted to have a hand in this project. Their older brothers cut the boards and got everything ready for them to assemble. Under dad's watchful eye the girls begin assembling the brooder box.
Flower is a naughty little goat... yes, we could have locked her in the pen, but it is fun having her around even as precocious as she is.
Though we could be incredibly frustrated with our "main carpenter man" being unable to function as he used to, I am so proud to say my family has adjusted. He gives pointers and we learn new skills.
Precocious and beautiful...our Flower.
Piece by piece it is coming together!
Seth believes curiosity killed the goat... not the cat. She loves being snuggled!
Girl Power!
Once the majority of the Brooder is assembled, we moved it to it's permanent home in a protected area.
It is important to have clean pine shavings (NOT CEDAR) in your chicks brooder.
...and a heat lamp set about 19 inches from the floor. It is important to keep the brooder at the correct temperature!
We have surrounded our brooder with straw, and placed it next to the goat pen in order to reduce drafts. We have a cover which is securely placed at night to keep any critters from crawling in with our babies.
Happy babies introduced to their new home. I did have to create a rounded corner with another piece of wood as they seem to want to cram into a corner!
If you look closely, you can see we keep a thermometer so we can check the temperature of the brooder area! My chickies love to climb up on the wooden blocks, flap their mini wings and pretend to fly. It is important that your chicks be provided with activities to keep them from becoming bored!
Fresh water is a must. I recommend using these types of waters to prevent your chicks from drowning ..they cannot swim and open containers are not a wise choice.
All snuggled in for the night. I am happy to have them in their new home and thankful for my family pitching in to get things done here on our little homestead! Please let me know if you have any questions, and I'll do my best to help or find answers!