Chicken bald back

[Chickabee]

The shops are shut the chicks are 2 weeks old, and I've just broken the brooder lamp! I've put them in my conservatory which has heated floor and doesn't get overheated by the sun. Do you think they'll be ok til I get new lamp?

[Chickabee]

 

This is them. The sides of the crate are wrapped in cling film to prevent drafts. I will cover them with a thin blanket tonight. They are actually 2 weeks and 2 days

[Daphne]

Make sure there is enough ventilation, I'm sure you are.

 

In an emergency you could use something like an anglepoise lamp (or 2) on/over the roof of the brooder (but think about the safety, I'd remove the cling film and only do it if the lamp is steady). Really chicks need to be heated from above, to mimic a hen. I'd put them in the warmest room in the house overnight, which I presume may not be the conservatory A chilled chick dies very quickly although they do have a reasonable feathering from the pictures.

[Chickabee]

Ventilation is fine. I don't have any other kind of lamp. My dining room is the warmest. Oh I'm really worried now.

 

Thing is, the underfloor heating is on all night. The rest of the house has central heating which goes off at about 10. The conservatory is draft proof and very small

[Daphne]

OK, lets be decisive. Stick with the conservatory if you think its the warmest. Test the air temp about 6 inches off the floor with your hand to decide. I was thinking about the insulation in a conservatory - heat loss, but I didn't realise you had the underfloor on all night so that's excellent. You can only do the best you can, and your chicks are past the most vulnerable stage. What are they doing? Huddling and cheeping their heads off - if so they are too cold and you should move them. If they seem to be behaving normally then no probs, leave them in the conservatory and try not to worry. You will be up early I know, and you can move them somewhere if necessary first thing. Trust is the thing, and what will be will be.

[Chickabee]

Thank you. It's nearly 12am they are fine. Just gave them all a cuddle. They seem nice and warm. Will get lamp tomorrow ASAP. Everything was going so well. Never dreamed I would break their lamp. Stupid stupid me. They are sleeping together but don't seem to be huddled. Very vocal after I gave them a cuddle (really think that's for our sake not theirs). Fingers crossed, don't think it's going to get any colder in here tonight. Will get up early to make sure all ok.

[Chickabee]

They are absolutely fine. Phew

[Daphne]

I have checked in especially Hurrah

[Chickabee]

Thanks Daphne. New bulb purchased and all back to normal now

[Mars]

Chickabee

Have you tried electric hen brooder, it doesn't break, less risk of fire, natural daylight and night darkness and it is easier on electricity.

It works fine, I tried it before.

[Chickabee]

Yes I've looked at them. Thing is I'm a bit of an impulse girl. I phoned the breeder to see if he had any no longer needing heat and he said no but I've got some hatching tomorrow. Well that was it. I had the lamp due to an emergency with some hatchlings last year and didn't have time to get an electric one. I will get one in future if I'm hatching or rearing, I do agree they're much better. Nowhere where I live sells them, so it will be an Internet job.

 

Thanks Mars