Help!

I raise my chicks indoors at first in plastic tubs. I use the longest ones I can find. That way the chicks have plenty of room and can move away from the heat when needed. I like the ones they sell at xmas time for tree storage. I collect old refrigerator racks and oven racks to use over my tubs to set the heat lamp on over the chicks. I never use a heat lamp bulb. Too hot. I start newly hatched with a 75 watt bulb for a day or two. Then go down to 60 watt, then 40 watt. You need to watch your chicks to know when to lower the wattage. Too cold, they huddle under the lamp. Not much moving around. Too hot, they will get as far away from the heat as possible. When comfortable, they will be running around, making happy chick sounds, eating, drinking, etc.
First few days in the brooder tubs I put a layer of paper towels down with a long piece of the rubber shelf liner in the center. This helps them until their legs are stronger and helps prevent spraddle leg. I place the waterer on the paper towel at one end of tub. After a few days and chicks have figured out where and what the feed and water is, I remove paper towels and rubber mat and put down pine bedding. I like to wrap old hardback books with heavy duty alum. foil and place waterers on top. You want the books high enough to set on the bottom of the tub and keep out the bedding. The book needs to be long enough that the chicks can hop up on it and drink from the waterer. Also I put marbles in the waterer at first or use quail waterers. You just need to place a couple of chicks up at your water for them to get the hang of it. The tubs are easy to clean ,disinfect and store. I like the Duck brand rolls of shelf liner sold a Walmart best. Let dirty pieces dry, shake then toss in the washer and dryer. Or you can buy the cheaper kind from a dollar store and just toss in the trash.
Here is a picture of a couple of my tubs. These are usually where I put the chicks while I am cleaning out the larger tubs. Or for smaller, weaker chicks. Good luck with your chicks.
 
These are the types of large xmas tree containers I use. Found at some stores during the holidays. If you order online, the postage is more than the cost of the tubs.

 

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