Chicks are here!

Some of our chicks hatched over the weekend, but it looks like more may hatch tonight.  Hang in there!  These chicks are in their nice warm box.  Their food is in a shallow dish right now to make sure they can reach it.  I'll be switching to the larger food dispenser tomorrow.

We were all hatched yesterday (Mother's Day) and are sleeping a lot!
Please share your pictures in the comments section!

Nest Cams

Your young bob white quail should be hatching any day now!  Check out the links to nest cams where you can watch wild birds raising their young.  They are fascinating and a great thing to share with your students.  Here is a link for Tips for Watching Nest Cams Online.

 

Osprey on nest at Smithtown High School West

Setting up the quail home

You should have received a large box, heat lamp with clamp, bulb, feeder, water bottle, feed and pine shavings.  One bag of shavings can do 2 boxes.  Tape one end of the box and fold in the flaps on top. Once the box is erected, please cut a hole about 5-6" down from the top to clamp the light on the box. See picture below.

The temperature should be @90.  A thermometer can be set up taped to the side near the bottom or laying on the bottom. The box should be set up as shown below.

The shoe box is for the chicks to go when they want to get out of the light but still get the heat.  Remember to place the shoebox on its side so the chicks can go in and out easily.

The water dish will get very dirty and will need to be cleaned out and have water replaced daily.