Brooder advice

[Deegal22]

Hey
I have 2 eggs in incubation
Hopefully they will hatch sometime next week, I need advice on having an indoor brooder untill they are big enough, the DOS and DONTs
Thanks for any advice

 

[SmiYa0126]

I start out in a large plastic bin lined with cardboard and then pine shavings on top with a heat lamp. I place it on a small table near a window. Then once they start jumping I transition to a large old pack and play, same bedding. I cover it with a bit of hardware cloth. The chicks can jump and run around. Most I've had is eight chicks.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Hey
I have 2 eggs in incubation
Hopefully they will hatch sometime next week, I need advice on having an indoor brooder untill they are big enough, the DOS and DONTs
Thanks for any advice

here is some info we have on BYC. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/duckling-care-brooder-ideas.64854/
I use 2 dog crates one Xlarge and the other large it makes a great brooder. I use old window screen for over the top. Pee pads for first week then start adding large flake pine shavings.

 

[Deegal22]

Thank you both so much

 

[3bird]

We start in the bathtub (the incubator is in that bathroom, so that room pretty much becomes duckling central). We use a Brinsea brooder plate (no heat lamps), and we put down a tarp that is then covered with pine shavings. We use a large, rimmed sheet pan and place the water and food on it. To start, we use small round Pyrex bows for water with a small opening cut in the lid. We then graduate to the milk jug waterer that so many use. We feed Mazuri waterfowl starter free choice.

We then graduate to a kiddie pool with a chicken wire barrier wrapped around it. We stick with all the same accessories, although the food now goes in a bowl.

Best of luck, and post some pictures for us!

 

[Tretinker]

I would like to second the puppy pads. I'm trying to reduce my single use plastics and when I dog has her litter we will use washable puppy pads but ducks are a whole other level of filthy!
We used a fabric fold up play pen for our chicks which as brilliant. We used the same for Ducklings with a plasterers tray underneath....oh dear what a terrible idea! The only good thing was it could go in the washing machine.
If we were to do it again it would be sold plastic large tote box. They grow so quick, everyone tells you this but if you blink they'll double in size!
We still used a brooder plate/heat plate rather than a lamp which work well for us, it helps it's been warm.
We used a pet water bottle contraption, it's like the coolers in an office but smaller with a deep tray at the bottom. That worked well.

 

[Deegal22]

Thank you everyone

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Check out Oak Abode on You Tube. I watched her and she uses and shared a small animal play pen, hex shaped, waterproof, zip on too, hakf mesh so chickies can see through and not be looking at giant walls (like with bins and the like). I am brooding 8 now and a second one arrived yesterday for my chicks are due any day. I really like it. Easy to clean too. Got mine from Amazon but eBay has them too. If you need a link or photo please let me know.

 

[Deegal22]

Check out Oak Abode on You Tube. I watched her and she uses and shared a small animal play pen, hex shaped, waterproof, zip on too, hakf mesh so chickies can see through and not be looking at giant walls (like with bins and the like). I am brooding 8 now and a second one arrived yesterday for my chicks are due any day. I really like it. Easy to clean too. Got mine from Amazon but eBay has them too. If you need a link or photo please let me know.

Could you post a link please they would be great

 

[Hip Hillbilly Acres]

Could you post a link please they would be great

Pet Playpen as Brooder - I am loving it too!