The hutch brooder is set up for quail, and if the heat plate works out, this is where any newly hatched chicks will grow up. It’s day 18, so I hope to not see it empty soon.
There’s an LED nightlight bulb zip-tied to the top of the brooder area, so the chicks won’t lose their way too the heat plate. The cardboard box lampshade keeps the light from bothering the quail in the upper level of the hutch at night. The nightlight and my desk lamp are on timers, to suit the existing quail, and the chicks I am hoping for. I find analogue thermometers to be more accurate than many digital ones, and the one in here will tell me if it’s drafty.
I zip-tied my obsolete security camera to a corner, so I can see most of the brooder from wherever I am. I sometimes use the camera to monitor temp gauges. At least it still has some use. It’s already dusty from the dust-bathing taking place in the upper level.
I guess that staring at the incubator won’t make the chicks hatch faster. I’m worried that none will actually hatch, as this is my first time incubating eggs that came through the mail. The chicks could be weak, or the eggs could just not be fertile. Quite a few felt heavy and looked dark when candled, so there must be some.
Yesterday’s outdoor temps were abysmal. The drinkers in all three pens had to be swapped out every couple of hours. They were still partially frozen. Thankfully, no lost quail. Even though they have panel heaters, I added extra-small heated pet mats to two of the coops. Today’s 20°F range will be an upswing, and it will probably feel quite balmy to the cold-cracked skin on my hands. I will still be swapping waters every couple of hours, probably.
It will keep me from watching the incubator for any tiny event.
