Brand new chicks

[rosemarythyme]

By 2 weeks they can jump up to 1.5'-2', so that's why a lid is a must. I call that the popcorn phase because they'll start jumping everywhere as they run and play.

Straw is fine under the lamp but as noted heat lamps must be well secured.

 

[Melky]

Yep most people put chicken wire or some type of small netting over the top because they will try and use their wings and fly around. We put coated chicken wire over top a cardboard box that was 24 inches high. When I uncovered to change the water, they flew to the top immediately to perch on top the box two feet up. I put a homemade roosting bar in 5 inches high and they accomplished that in a week. I then made a homemade swing and put a pecking ball inside for exercise and fun. They loved both. Looked like this.

 

[MariaE]

By 2 weeks they can jump up to 1.5'-2', so that's why a lid is a must. I call that the popcorn phase because they'll start jumping everywhere as they run and play.

Straw is fine under the lamp but as noted heat lamps must be well secured.

 

[MariaE]

Thank you, I have secured the heat lamp. Great info here

 

[Stephine]

It would be better if your lamp pointed straight down instead of shining into the whole tub. You really only want to heat up one spot at the side for the chicks, not the whole brooder. That way they can find cool spots to cool off. Notice in the picture that two chicks are sleeping in the shade of the feeder - they are too warm. I know the official recommendation is to start with 95 degrees, but I have found my chicks do better starting out closer to 90 directly under the lamp in their first week (after shipping - so they are 2-4 days old on arrival).
I highly recommend putting the lamp above the cover (mine could fly 1 foot high right at arrival - I never dreamed of not covering a brooder), that gives you an extra layer of safety. Also, it’s better to use pine shavings for bedding, not straw which can harbor mites and is harder to walk on, and harder to clean up. It also smells better. No bare newspaper - it can be slippery and cause leg problems in chicks.
Have fun!

 

[MariaE]

Thank you for the helpful info!!