[Squiggly]

Hi

Well my new chicks have hatched and Im picking them up tomorrow so am very very very excited  

But I want to get everything ready for them so they aren't off heat for too long, so does anyone have an idea how high the legs should be for day old cochins please?

Also are the legs just meant to slide into the square plate or screw in? I got the impression they just slide in and are held by the two nuts but I had to screw my legs in and just wondered if this is right?

Another also...    how early should I turn the electric hen on before I pick them up? Before I leave for work at 9:30am (Ill be back with them at just gone 1pm) ??

Or just get someone to turn it on half an hour before I get home?

Thank you from a very excited soon to be chick mommy  


NEW PROBLEM!!!

Ive just turned it upside down and placed my hand on the bottom of it and its hot! its like holding your hand on a hot radiator - you don't want to do it for more than a couple of seconds.
Won't this burn the chicks? I thought it was just meant to be warm?

[Chickway]

I am new to this too.  I am on my third hatch and learning all the time.  I have a brinsea ecoglow and they should be ok to leave on while your out from 9.30 as they use very little electricity.  I have 5 day old chicks and mine is set at 10cm from the floor and you raise it to the next level each week.  I have 9 under mine at the moment and they love it.  Good luck and enjoy.
Chickway x

[Casey76]

I have mine on an angle (and I had to screw my legs in ) so that the lowest bit is back height when they are lying dwon and the highest bit is back height when they are standing up.

You'll have to keep adjusting it about every three days.

Id switch it on in the morning.  they can take a while to get up to temperature

[Squiggly]

Ok brilliant thank you (glad your legs screw in too lol!)

Ive put mine on an angle at the moment (two legs are 10cm and two are 8cm) just an estimated one and Ill adjust it properly when they arrive tomorrow.

And Ill switch it on before I leave for work.......Oooo I can't wait!! Thanks to you both for the help 

[Squiggly]

Ive just edited my post with a new problem

Ive just turned it upside down and placed my hand on the bottom of it and its hot! its like holding your hand on a hot radiator - you don't want to do it for more than a couple of seconds.
Won't this burn the chicks? I thought it was just meant to be warm?

[Casey76]

It's meant to be hot!

It wont burn the chicks... though what can happen is that they can wear off the down from their wing joints - but I've raised lots of chicks, ahd haven' had a burnt on yet

[Squiggly]

Lol burnt chicken.....not good in any situation 

Thanks for that, I know it was a stupid question really but I never expected it to get that hot 

[Helenaj]

I use the Brinsea Electric hen for mine and when they are too warm all they do is sit at the entrance to it. It's meant to act exactly as a mother hen would, offering occasional heat and enabling the chicks to run about and play and return to mum for a quick warm before chaos starts again!
If you think it may be malfunctioning, drop the manufacturing company an email and they can tell you if the "radiator heat" is correct or not.