Brooder expansion

[Gwhite3678]

Wow these little guys or gals grow quick! This is my first time raising chicks and can’t believe how fast they grow and how much they eat!
I had a little brooder enclosure I bought of Amazon but at 2 weeks I already felt it wasn’t big enough and they were trashing it quickly. I attached that to an extra dog crate which about doubles the space. Hopefully this lasts until we have the coop ready and they are ready for the great outdoors

 

[IvysAnimals]

Maybe try a large kiddie pool from somewhere like dollar general or a DIY kind of brooder... They gave my chicks much more room than most flimsy brooders I looked for online... Hope that helps!

 

[3KillerBs]

Can you get an appliance box or a melon box?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Make sure there's an open ventilated "lid" over the left section, or you'll find chicks all over the room.

Also double check that the spacing on those bars isn't too wide that chicks could escape, or worse, get partially stuck and then kill themselves while panicking.

 

[Gwhite3678]

Can you get an appliance box or a melon box?

I could but I think that would be smaller than what I just expanded to

 

[Gwhite3678]

Make sure there's an open ventilated "lid" over the left section, or you'll find chicks all over the room.

Also double check that the spacing on those bars isn't too wide that chicks could escape, or worse, get partially stuck and then kill themselves while panicking.

They have been in that open side since I got them so far they can’t get out but once I see them starting to try to fly I’ll add a topper.
I did put cardboard all along the bottom of the dog kennel area to cover the bars so I don’t think there is anywhere to get stuck. So far though no one will go in it. They just look over there walk over and then “chicken” out.

 

[Gwhite3678]

Make sure there's an open ventilated "lid" over the left section, or you'll find chicks all over the room.

Also double check that the spacing on those bars isn't too wide that chicks could escape, or worse, get partially stuck and then kill themselves while panicking.

So they just started flying out! Unfortunately that section is super flimsy so anything placed on top makes it almost collapse, the only thing I got to stay was bird netting I had for my blueberry bushes. I made it as taught as I could but I’m worried if they do attempt to fly up they will get caught in it.. what do you think? Am I better off not using that section at all anymore and just keeping them in the kennel?

 

[3KillerBs]

I think you need to get a bigger box.

Do you have a coop already? Can you run an extension cord and brood them in the coop?

 

[Gwhite3678]

I think you need to get a bigger box.

Do you have a coop already? Can you run an extension cord and brood them in the coop?

Unfortunately our coop is not yet completed and probably won’t be for another few weeks. I can get a big box and attach to the kennel to keep the space ok and that should hold a top better.
What would you do for the remainder of the day today and tomorrow till I can get a box /get it set up? Is it worth the risk with the bird netting they will be going to sleep probably in a few hours they seem to settle down together by 8-9pm

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Unfortunately our coop is not yet completed and probably won’t be for another few weeks. I can get a big box and attach to the kennel to keep the space ok and that should hold a top better.
What would you do for the remainder of the day today and tomorrow till I can get a box /get it set up? Is it worth the risk with the bird netting they will be going to sleep probably in a few hours they seem to settle down together by 8-9pm

This is a link to my dog crate brooder with expansion. It is a total of 12 sq ft. I house 11 birds about the same age as yours in it but am running out of room as two that are slightly older (3 wks) are chest bumping.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/chick-cave-brooder.77431/