[Catsmuvva]

I managed to get hold of an infrared heat lamp today for my 3 week old chick, Epic. It's been reared under 60W white light until I took it on on Monday so until I could get hold of infrared I covered the cage with a towel to keep the heat in at night and to stop the light from keeping it awake.

Now its got a heat lamp its racing about the cage like a looney, chirping away. I've put it a few feet away and angled it slightly upwards as I thought the light was too bright for Epic but its obviously not used to it so I'm wondering if that's what's freaking it out.

Should I go back to the towel & be done with it or persevere with the lamp? Epic is already quite well feathered. Oh, in case it's not blatantly obvious, I haven't played mum to a chick before   

[GrannieAnnie]

the red lights are usually less stressful for them CM.  What strength is the lamp?  Perhaps Eric is too hot?

What is he in?  If its a small box, has he got enough room to escape from the heat if he is too warm?

[Catsmuvva]

Hi GA, check out "new arrival tomorrow" (currently page 3) for the full story!

He or she has now settled down & is gently chirring to a cuddly hedgehog (Epic is gonna be one confused chick - should I install a mirror so other chooks don't come as too much of a shock?)

Should the light be on all night or do you think going back to the towel over the cage will be sufficient? I also had a microwave hottie on the bars above him under the towel...

[Catsmuvva]

Just a thought - I have an electric fire with a couple of red bulbs in the flame effect bit ... would it make more sense to take one of those bulbs out & put it in the anglepoise over the cage?

The infra red is 150W & is on a stand about 4' away from the cage.

[GrannieAnnie]

When I've only got a few chicks, I use a fireglow bulb CM, as long as most of the top of the box is covered, but still allowing ventilation, that is usually warm enough.  Won't use as much electric as 150w bulb either!

I've also got a little cuddly blue bunny that I put in once when I only had 3 chicks in the brooder box!   

[Catsmuvva]

Blue bunny, eh? Nice to know I'm not as mad as I suspected - or maybe I'm in good company   

[GrannieAnnie]

Well with it being just me and Brian here now, I'm a bit short on cuddly toys!!   

[Sassy]

You could also try suspending a mophead for him to cuddle into it would be like a mother hen! I wonder if because he is an only chick he lacks confidence? I've never tried psychoanalysing a chick before!!!!!

[Catsmuvva]

The red bulb from the fire did the trick!

Hmm, might have to look into this mophead lark, cunning idea.

I'm not sure he lacks confidence, his flying skills are amazing. When I let him out of the cage he flies up onto my shoulder & chats away. He's currently on my desk attacking a pen that has done him no harm and yesterday took a walk across my keyboard & submitted a post on facebook that I hadn't finished.

Maybe he's a secretary bird - although I thought they were from Africa...     

(I keep saying he, sex is still to be determined)






























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