Brooder question?

[need help]

I was curious to find out what people use for the bottom of their brooders. I am going to make one out of a tuperware container but I'm not exactly sure what to put in it. Any suggestions for light wattages would also be useful. 100 watts good? What do you suggest for feed for new chicks? I've got a week till they hatch but I figured better start earlier on doing my homework.

 

[Fierlin1182]

Wood chips/shavings are best for the bedding in the brooder. Pine is pretty good, but don't use cedar because from what I hear that's poisonous to chickens. (I hope I'm right at least) You can also use paper towels, or newspaper but only when the chicks are about one/two weeks old and have found their footing. Newspaper with just-hatched chicks can cause leg problems. We also used grass clippings or hay for a bit, and that worked fine too.

I guess it's the temperature you want to be concerned with, when it comes to heating. Some peeps put a thermometer in the brooder to make sure the temps are about right (you want 100F for when the chicks have just hatched... either that or 105, I'll wait till someone with more experience jumps in here ) However your chicks are the best indicator: watch them for signs of being hot or cold. (Panting, huddling together, etc.)

Good luck!

 

[CDN-Maple]

I put about 4-5 inches of pine shavings in the bottom of my brooder. I got our chicks at about 2 days old and they knew the food bin right away, so I did not use the papertowel with food on it trick. I also used water nipples - I took a few and wet their beaks with the nipples and they all figured it out real quick. As far as a bulb, I use a 250 watt red bulb with a thermometer at the bottom of the brooder. I have learned that watching the chicks is a whole lot more accurate than watching the thermometer.