4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[HENthusiastic]

I'm a bit confused. Ive got two chicks indoors who I wasn't expecting to be raising. I thought their mum would be doing it. Ive Had to take them away from mum because she killed two of the other chicks. I got mum and chicks from an auction and suspect that some of the chicks were not hatched by her so.

 

They had no heat at all for the first day and night. Then I gave them a lamp and red bulb shining at them. It doesnot seem too hot with the hand test ie wam not hot after a minute. But Ive just found of the the chicks with her wings spread out a bit, almost lying face down and looking like she was panting. I assume that meant she was too hot, so Ive turned the lamp off. The other chick seemed okay and was stood right next to the other. (She's fine).

 

Can you do a lot of harm if you get them too hot or too cold? Its all a bit worrying I havent done my usual research, because as I said, I was expecting them to be raised by mum. Any advice greatfully received.

[Egluntyne]

Sounds as if she is too hot.

 

Is she the one with the pasted vent?

[HENthusiastic]

Hi Egluntine.

 

Thanks. We've turned the lamp off and she seems much happier.

She isnt the pasted vent one, she is in the garden with mum still. Pasted Vent is looking a bit more uncomfortable. Its actually not a poo sticking out of her vent. I can see her vent and it looks clean. the area below her vent looks swollen and bald, as if a marble is pushing to get out of it. Shes chirping, eating and running around well though.

[The Dogmother]

You'll be able to judge if it is too hot by whether the chicks move away from the lamp into the corners of the brooder (too hot) or if they are all clustered under the lamp (too cool)

 

I hope they all turn out OK HEN

[HENthusiastic]

Well, I've read this before, but I dont think my chicks are that clever! My little brown chick was lying straight under the lamp wings apart clearly panting, looking like she was positively melting!

[Plum]

Hi HEN, how are your new babes doing? Any pics?

[HENthusiastic]

Well, it isn't a good news story I'm afraid.

I think I'm going to start a new thread, because it feels a bit off the point of the "too hot or too cold question".