65 gallon aquarium as brooder?

[greenmulberry]

I am getting, at most, 6 new chicks in the spring. I have a spare 65 gallon aquarium, which is 36 inches long by 18 inches wide. So that is 4.5 square feet for 6 chicks.

Would this be a suitable brooder for 6 chicks? I worry about ventilation with the glass sides. I will have a screen mesh top.

What I like about it is that they will be very safe from my dogs and cats in this set up. I will even use the nice oak stand I have and we can sit around and watch them like fish LOL!

 

[hypnofrogstevie]

I asked that same question about my 55 gal tank. Paper towel for bedding. Careful about corners. put something to block the corners so the chicks dont suffocate

 

[Farmer Kitty]

We used an old 100 gal. livestock water tank for 16 chicks and didn't have any problems with ventalation. It was oval in shape so I'm not sure on corners but, I see a lot of posts where they use plastic totes so I would think you'd be okay.

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I used a 100 gal acrylic aquarium for 7 ducklings and it worked just fine. I even covered the majority of the top openings to keep cats out and had no problems with ventilation.

You should have fun watching them.

 

[BantyChickMom]

It will be fine as long as you watch the corners and keep an eye on the temp......you don't want the excess heat to keep building.