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Posted by Rachel in WA on 5/28/2012, 1:36 am
72.160.124.225
Okay, for all the times I've had chicks, I've never had this problem before. I was not able to keep them in the barn as usual, and have been keeping them in my house. My house is very small, and there are no doors in it, so I have no room to keep them separate from the cats, so they are in a large dog crate. They are now 5 weeks old and mostly feathered, but not entirely. They are the sweetest, most imprinted chicks I have ever had, and I adore them, but they are really getting too big to be in here anymore. The problem is that overnight it is still in the low 50's and sometimes even in the 40's. I am considering putting them out during the day and bringing them in at night, but that is going to get old fast. They have a place where I can put a heat lamp during the day safely, but not at night. I can't raise a red bulb in the house high enough to be cool enough now, so they have a 100 watt bulb on now which is fine, but keeps us all up all night. Also, I feel they are getting really board. We had a nasty cold & wet spell or I"d have been starting them out doors playing sooner, but the last two afternoons after work I have taken them out and boy do they love to run & jump! When I turn off the light and cover the cage with a blanket at night they trill and trill and sound so sad. I'm not sure if they're just scared, or really uncomfortable. Am I being too soft? I just want them to be healthy. Any thoughts on how much longer to wait or what to do would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!
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