So I am going to be receiving some 1 week old Light Sussexes in the Spring. I was wondering if a plastic box or cardboard box would be most appropriate for them.
Hi. I'm not a big fan of cardboard as they may tip their water over and they you've just got a soggy mess. If you use a plastic tote, you'll want to be careful to not have the headlamp touching, and thus melting, the plastic. You could also build a wooden box for a brooder. I used a metal feed trough for mine, but I realize that's extra expense. Whatever you choose to use, keep in mind that they grow FAST and what is plenty of room for week old chicks can get pretty crowded before they're ready for the coop. Good luck! Chicks are so very fun
I used a cardboard box from a big deep freezer as a brooder. It came with a hard plastic lining in the bottom, so I duct taped that to the cardboard on all sides. Then I used clear plastic sheeting over the flooring and up the walls a few inches, duct taped on all sides, so as to keep moisture in the litter and not soak the cardboard. I have it up on a table so that I can reach in on their same level. I find that reaching in from above creates terrified chicks/chickens. I cut holes in the side of the box and used plastic clamps to attach deer netting over the holes so I can see them and reach in. I set the food and water up on wood planks to get it out of the pine shavings because they kick a lot. When they got to about 2 weeks, I expanded by adding a large dog crate next to the cardboard box. I just duct taped them together. The dog crate has cardboard walls to help keep pine in (pine is still EVERYWHERE!) I use a Brinsea Ecoglow 50 chick brooder for heat; the red lights are just for light not for heat.
Plastic tubs are only going to be big enough for a week or two, depending on how big. I also use galvanized steel troughs, but before I had them I used two large cardboard boxes. Cut a door between them, tape them together. Heat lamp on one side, feed and water in the other box. I always elevate the waterer and have never had on tip over, I use the quart mason jar type. Having the adjoining boxes helps a lot with temp regulation. You know the chicks have a big enough cool area to get out from under the heat. I also liked the cardboard as it didn't have to be cleaned out when you're done brooding, just toss it.
Thank you so much guys! We will be getting our chicks soon and i thank you for your answers! Thanks again!
I taped 2 large printer cardboard boxes together. Plenty big, and so far no catastrophies, but even after 3 weeks it's getting pretty beat up. Duct tape is awesome and all, but it doesn't hold up to all the dust and messing around that I've been throwing at it.
