Brooder height

[jmtcmkb]

Preparing a brooder wondering if I will need a cover? I will probably have to keep them in the house until fully feathered as it will be cold here when they go out, 50* day time highs and 20-30* lows.. so I am making a large brooder out of cardboard, the height is about 24" is this tall enough that they wont fly out or do I need a cover?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I've seen two week old chicks fly three feet horizontal and two feet vertical to get to a perch. They could easily have gone a lot further.

They will want to perch on the top of the sides. I'd put a cover.

 

[jmtcmkb]

ok thank you

 

[weeders n feeders]

Quote:
Ditto. Piece of hardware cloth works nicely. Light and easy to move when you need to get in there. Just be sure to bend the cut points back around or duck tape them.

 

[jmtcmkb]

We will do the hardware cloth, thank you!

 

[debid]

I'd suggest making the sides either shorter or taller and making a lid. The one I borrowed had 24" sides and it was a difficult height for using a heat lamp because hanging outside, the light is a bit too high and inside it's too low. 18-20" would have been better IMO.

 

[jmtcmkb]

I have an eCoGlow brooder, so I am hoping I wont have the headache of monitoring temperatures....I plan on showing them the eColGlow first off and hoping them will huddle to it as needed!