100 gallon stock tank as brooder?

[Tommypants]

We are getting things set up in advance of our hatching eggs arriving and realized we had a 100g stock tank with no current use. Anyone see any issues using this a a brooder? We have metal shelving to use as a cover and plan on using a radiating hover brooder as opposed to a light. Any suggestions or tips?

 

[Nabiki]

My only issue with that is it's hard to clean because of the weight. Chicks get dirty fast and you're going to need to clean it out often.

 

[Quailobsessed]

Sorry, but how big is 100 gallons?

 

[Tommypants]

 

[mdees88]

How many chicks do you plan on hatching?

That should work good. I use 55 gallon plastic totes and they work well. They are 21" x 48".

You can use the deep little method which is what I do. Add a layer of fine pine shavings to the bottom then every couple days, daily, or whenever the poops starts to build up you apply another thin layer of shavings over the poop. This knocks down the smell down and gives them a clean floor to walk on again.

This method works great and I don't have to clean the entire brooder out until I move the chicks to their new home at around 2 weeks.

 

[WhiteWaterLady]

I've used a metal trough as a brooder (in my living room nonetheless!) and it worked very well. I kept the bottom covered with aspen shavings. Cleaned it regularly by putting a garbage bag down in it, scooping most of the shavings into the bag, then put clean shavings in. When they were ready to go out to the coop, I pulled the trough outside, tipped it on it's side after removing the shavings as in the living room, then hosed it out. Easiest brooder I've ever dealt with! You can see the picture proof here:

https://eclecticmusings.blog/2019/05/09/you-have-a-horse-trough-in-your-living-room/

 

[Folly's place]

It's what I've always used here, and it works very well. Right now I'm using a rubbermaid tank, but the metal tanks work equally well.
Mine is in the garage, on styofoam insulating boards, and has maybe 3" of shavings as bedding, which I add too as needed.
The heat lamp is suspended over one end, and a hardware cloth top is over the whole thing.
Initially I have styrofoam boards over the cool end of the tank, to help keep the temp better for the chicks. It needs to be about 95F right under the heat lamp, and maybe 65F to 70F at the other end.
Then I watch their behavior! The top insulation gradually is eliminated in a few days, and the heat lamp is raised, and the bulb wattage lowered, as time passes. The birds move to their coop section by 2.5 weeks of age, with their heat source.
Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Don't have a solid cover! Hardware cloth in a frame works well, It will keep the chicks in, and keep predators out.
Mary

 

[007Sean]

I use several of them, Aspen bedding, a couple of plywood squares to put waterer and feeder on, so shavings don't get in the waterer or feeder as bad as without. I use heat lamps and raise/lower to regulate proper heat. 1/2" HWC with 1"x2" frame works perfect for a top.
I usually have an empty one next to the one I'm using, when it needs cleaning I just add shavings, transfer waterer, feeder and chicks to the other trough.

 

[Tommypants]

We ordered 25 eggs, hoping to get a decent hatch rate. I’ve already purchased aspen shavings and we are working on the hutch each weekend. Here’s a few pics of that from today. We still have to make the long door