Fried Chicken

[fred.]

Hello
I've just set up a little brooding box for my Barnevelders that have just hatched, i am using an electric hen but unsure how high they should be above the chicks !
On the instructions its say back height of the chick but this seems quite low given that it feels quite warm ,

Album
http://s289.photobucket.com/albums/ll209/fred-uk/Poop%20machines/


Any suggestions / Advice will be gratefully appreciated ( apart from the photgraphy ! :lol: - its not my camara although i may be responsible for the headless shots )



Thanks

 

[Marigold]

Is it possible with this model to set the top surface on a slope with the front higher than the back, so they can show you whereabouts they like to be?
I think the last pic would be another good entry for a caption competition.

 

[Chuck]

As Marigold says, slope it, an inch should do, so they can choose where they want to be. Raise it at an angle as the chicks grow.

 

[chrismahon]

You will never be sure until you have a thermometer in there Fred. The temperature depends on the height, the size of the heater and the ambient temperature. The thermometer needs to be at chick shoulder height and would start at 35 degrees on their first day and reduce gradually, by raising the heater obviously, untils at 6 weeks they don't need it on except on a cold night.

 

[foxy]

We have this model, and as has been suggested use with the back legs lower than the front. This gives them the ability to huddle at the back when they need too. If they are underneath with their heads pointing out when resting during the day, and active and pecking then it's fine.

 

[chrismahon]

Have you some more details of the model Foxy as we need to buy one before we move to France (in 11 weeks !!!)

 

[foxy]

Have you some more details of the model Foxy as we need to buy one before we move to France (in 11 weeks !!!)

Hi Chris it's this one...

http://www.pandtpoultry.co.uk/index.php/fuseaction/shop.product/categoryid/3/productid/1389


I can't believe it's only 11 weeks now! How are you plans going? (oops off topic!! )

 

[chrismahon]

Thanks for that Foxy. Will never buy anything from PandT again having been badly 'burned' twice. Also the unit is too small for us. We need at least 40 Watts with a larger area. Have you any suggested products?

Panic setting in with the move. 12 cubic metre 1 tonne trailer ordered yesterday due in 8 weeks. House not selling. Still have coops and runs to build. Will take all the coops and equipment over a few weeks before and set them up. More go with the chickens and the last are collected later with sheds. Estimate 8 trips in total required at 1500 miles each.

 

[AlexArt]

I've got 2 of the bigger version of this make and it has done really well this season - I usually use a heat lamp - but I won't again! I got mine off a poultry seller on ebay so worth shopping around. As for height I slope mine but the lowest point I do about an inch above their backs when they're standing up - they get pretty warm underneath so with this warmer weather you may find them sitting all over the place anyway!

 

[fred.]

Sorry, but i find this site frustrating !
On no other site do i have to resize photobucket photo's :roll:
i've just posted a long reply to everyone only for it get refused for photo size, so when i tried re submitting - it lost the post :evil:

 

[fred.]

.
Thanks for all the replies 99

Thanks for that Foxy. Will never buy anything from PandT again having been badly 'burned' twice. Also the unit is too small for us. We need at least 40 Watts with a larger area. Have you any suggested products?

Same make product but cheaper supplier & bigger size
http://www.regencypoultry.com/heat_lamps/electric_hen_mini.htm

As Marigold says, slope it, an inch should do, so they can choose where they want to be. Raise it at an angle as the chicks grow.

It maybe difficult to see in the photo but i had done this thinking they could find a happy position

I think the last pic would be another good entry for a caption competition.

It has to be - "H'mm, Which flavour should i go for ! :lol: "
to be honest he hasnt paid that much attention to them but he does just go over once a day & stick his head in, although i i think if weren't there he would follow it through !

I've got 2 of the bigger version of this make

I bought the 400x400mm & it only just fitted in the box not leaving them anyroom around the perimeter to get away from the heat apart from 1 side so i bought the smaller one

As for height I slope mine but the lowest point I do about an inch above their backs when they're standing up - they get pretty warm underneath so with this warmer weather you may find them sitting all over the place anyway!

Thanks