[Mulberry1990]

So after getting the 'We are not having any more pets EVER' conversation for the 21st time (I get the lecture after every single animal purchase) my parents have agreed to three (maybe four if I work a bit harder,) day old chicks!
We're planning on getting them from happy chicks around May so that i'm back from uni to look after them...

My question is what set up do I need for them! I keep googling it but i'm getting really confused, the image in my head from it, is a cardboard box with a lightbulb in it, which doesn't sound safe to me!

We have three indoor cages that are currently housing the rabbits and g-pigs until it's warm enough for them to go back out. They're plastic bases with plastic half way up the side, and then metal tops, that make up the rest of the side and the roof. They have a big opening on top. Would one of these be suitable for them?

Also with the lightbulb for heat, I know i'm just being dense but... how do you make it hang above it?

They do already have names ready and waiting for them though =D... to carry on the designer theme we will have.... Bobbi (Bobbi brown), Eve (Eve st Lauren) and Apple (yes like the computers) then if I am convincing enough about a fourth... Dior.

Thank you for any help! xxx

[GrannieAnnie]

Hi Mulberry, when I raise just a few chicks, I use a big plastic storage box amongst other things.  For such a small amount, I use a red fireglow bulb inside a small metal lampshade that I got from Wilkinsons.  The half way up plastic on yours sounds fine!  As long as the metal top isn't too near their heads, just stand the light on top if it.  

As long as they are nice and warm and draight free, they will be fine.  I have also used a thick cardboard box, and I've got a brooder hubby made me out of an old kitchen wall cabinet.  

I'll try and find the photos for you! it's was a banana box with the top and bottom joined together so it made 1 longer brooder.  Once I even used an old wardrobe!! lol

[GrannieAnnie]

And this one!

[Mulberry1990]

Thanks that's great, I understand what I need now =)
Do you know where I could get a light online at all? Our wilkinsons isn't all that great so I doubt we'd get one there.

We've decided on our breeds now, we shall be adding:
Bluebell - Bobbi
Blackrock - Eve
Speckeldy - Dior
Cream Legbar - Apple

(My mum obviously can't say no to me, it didn't take much convincing to get up to four =D)

Now I just need to wait a few months until they're born!!
My mum's already planning on selling boxes of eggs with multi-coloured eggs in to the neighbours (we like to be forward planning obviously!)
xx

[bantam novice]

Good luck, Mulberry and keep us posted.  We all like pictures here! 

[jinty1911]

ha ha you sound just like me.  Eventually persuaded hubby that 3 chicks would be lovely running round garden but I would look after them and he would look after the 4 rabbits.  Now he is up first and insists that he lets them out in the morning and comes home and cleans up the poop every afternoon. Bless him.
I have since decided that we have enough room for another couple of chicks and since the girls are always broody, it would be nice to hatch our own (after holiday in March of course). He just read this over my shoulder and is laughing ha ha   

[Mulberry1990]

I find it easier just to not tell my Dad what we're getting, it appears and he deals with it!
We once went into a pet shop to buy some dog biscuits, my brother came out with a pet snake and I came out with two hamsters... whoops!
Another time my brother went to get a puppy, and obviously when we got there it wouldn't be fair if he got one and I didn't... so home came two puppies!

He swore we'd never have any more animals, but we have 21 at the minute and 4 more planned!

I just need to convince them that I need some ducks in my life!!
It's the one animal I constantly fail with, I think it'd be easier to get a giraffe.

[Kym503]

I don't wish to state the obvious but don't forget you may very well beraising cockerals if you get day old chicks.... I ended up with 2 cockerals the first time I did this (who ended up in the pot) but the second time I got crested legbars which you can sex at hatching.

[Mulberry1990]

We're only getting auto-sexing breeds =)

[GrannieAnnie]

Places like Ascott's online sell this sort of lamp which at the moment is a good price, but a bit too hot for your 4 little ones.

http://ascott.biz/acatalog/Infra_Red_Lamp_Holders_and_Bulbs.html

But have  a look in your local Wilkinsons.  They should sell lightbulbs, or even supermarkets usually sell the red fireglow ones.  a bulb holder also in lots of places with enough flex to reach from a socket to the brooder box, and if Wilkinsons sell lampshades they should have that little metal one.  If you can't get one, I don't mind getting the bits for you and sending them up???

[Mulberry1990]

That's really kind of you =)
I'm in Tenerife at the moment, but when I get home I will go check it out and see if I can find one anywhere around, and let you know.
Thank you for your help
x

[GrannieAnnie]

Lucky girl!!

[Mulberry1990]

It is all nice and sunny =D
But I miss my animals!!