What makes a chicken coop easy to live with?

[Roobaloo]

In the unlikely event that my remaining 4 eggs hatch (I'm ever the optimist! ) what do I need to have ready for next week?

 

• Obviously a brooder:
  As this is a one time only thing, I would rather put something together myself rather than buy something specific.
  Is there a restriction on material? I have an old rat cage, plastic base (about 5 inches high at the sides) and wired bars (about 0.5" apart) ...would it be ok to use if I blocked the lowest bars? (e.g. lined the lower bars with rigid plastic or card to stop heads poking through) or would a wooden box be better?
  I know slipping is an issue - would wood shavings be suitable on a smooth surface or should I put some cloth or rubber matting in?
   
  Lamp:
  What kind of lamp is best? There seems to be all kinds of heat sources available. Ceramic/Infrared etc or is an "Electric hen" a more suitable method?
   
  Feed:
  How much crumb would 4 chicks eat in 6 weeks? All our local feed merchant sell the same brand and I'd rather feed something a bit better...so I'll have to buy online.
  Is it better to feed medicated or to feed normal and have a supply of coxoid "in case"...or should I have this ready even with medicated feed?
  Is chick crumb "complete" or will they need to be fed anything else?
   
  Other:
  Obviously feed and shallow water containers...
   
  

 

Is there anything else? Please make any recommendations or suggestions!!

 

Thanks!!

[Egluntyne]

Marbles. To stop the chicks falling into the water and drowning.

[Roobaloo]

Marbles. To stop the chicks falling into the water and drowning.

 

...and to replace the ones I've lost during this whole...saga...!

 

[meezers]

Re the chick crumb, 3 chicks + Muppet have got through a 5kg bag of crumb in 7 weeks

Sorry, that should be 2 x 5 kg bags in 7 weeks - youngest son was hassling me to get off the laptop and making me hurry !

[Griffin]

I brood my chicks in a rat cage and I've never had trouble with them poking their heads through, the gaps aren't wide enough. I put newspaper in the base and cover that with j-cloth. I keep them in the kitchen and I found they made far too much mess if they had Easybed and the likes in there, I change the paper & cloth daily (or twice daily if they're a particularly grimey lot!) and it's so much easier.

 

I prefer my electric hen to a heat lamp because I don't like the feeling of being at Blackpool illuminations, especially at night The chicks enjoy jumping on and off the EH and after a week or so are usually sleeping on top of it. It's no fun s"Ooops, word censored!"ping the dried in poo off the top of it daily but preferable to being lit up 24/7.

 

If you're planning to use a crumb that isn't medicated then to be on the safe side I'd advise you to get a bottle of Coxoid in just incase. Coccidiosis kills chicks quickly and if your chicks do get it you might lose some while waiting for the treatment to arrive.

[Roobaloo]

Thanks meezers!!

 

Griffin - Fab about the rat cage!! That'll make life easier and definitely like the idea of the j-cloths as I was thinking about the mess with shavings!!

 

I hadn't thought about the light but as the room they'll be in has a window into the landing (which is great for the incy as you can just pass by and know it's still on without popping in!)...and with bedroom doors kept open to allow air flow...I think there might be some complaints!! Will definitely look into an electric hen!

Thanks!!

 

Can anyone recommend a good quality medicated crumb?

[Griffin]

I use Farmgate purely vecause it's the only medicated crumb my feed merchant can order in for me. I hate it, it's awful stuff, but having lost four chicks to Coccidiosis last year I don't want to take any chances. On the plus side, the bags have come in very handy for growing potatoes in

[The Dogmother]

I always use this non-slip matting when I have new chicks, even if they are with their mum.

[Roobaloo]

Oooo! I'll have a look at that (any excuse to go to Maplin!!) Thanks!

[Jools]

I'd recommend the electric hen over a heat lamp too, having used both for abandoned chicks hatched by broodies.

 

The only medicated chick crumb I can get is BOCM from the local agri merchants (WCF here). I haven't found any in the pet-style outlets before.

 

I've always added a probiotic to their drinking water too. Initially is used Protexin but I switched to Herban a couple of years ago (when I ran out of Protexin and had Herban for the grown ups).

 

They shouldn't need grit if you're only feeding crumb, but I like to give mine some green stuff once they're a couple of days old, so I buy a small bag of chick grit. The green stuff is usually a little piece of closely trimmed turf from the garden, or some oregano specially grown for them.

 

The only other thing you'll need is lots of time ...... to sit and watch them

[craftyhunnypie]

Beware of the J cloths - some people have had chicks drown, where the water has been spilt & the J cloth soaked it up.

I use shavings - plus the electric hen.

 

Emma.x

[Redwing]

indoors I use j cloths and a layer of wood pellet cat litter - of all of the gazillions of bedding combinations ive tried that one works the best

[Roobaloo]

I have my cage, my electric hen is on route...then to the local agri-store for feeders and drinkers...

 

Just need to choose a bedding and feed!!

 

To those who use j-cloth...does this offer enough grip? or should I put something under it?

I like the idea of the wooden cat litter. Is there anything that's a definite no-no other than sawdust?

[The Dogmother]

Just avoid anything dusty really.

[madchickenlady]

Sorry, hijacking again I was planning on using kitchen towel with a thin layer of wood shavings. Would this be ok?