RMchicksADA

Hatching
May 19, 2025
5
1
4
Hi I just got these chicks like two days ago and I’m really new to owning chickens. I’m not sure if this brooder is big enough for them, but I have 6 in here right now. Should I upgrade them? They’re about 2-3 days old.
I’m also getting them a second feeding dish since one doesn’t seem like enough.

Don’t mind the poop, I just woke up and I’m about to change the paper towel.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    267.9 KB · Views: 30
it definitely won’t be big enough once you get another feeder. If you can find an appliance box that is the best thing I’ve found to brood in because you can throw it away after. Plastic totes are easy to clean but good at trapping ammonia and carbon dioxide which can be bad news for chicks. Something they can see through would be even better so when you move them out into the coop it’s not such a shock (little box to big wide world). Sometimes a wire dog kennel works for this when they’re bigger
 
It works for now but yes I'd upgrade soon. Recommended minimum space is 1 sq ft per chick by 4 weeks, 2 sq ft by 8 weeks however I find that to be too tight as chicks are very active and like to run around, so once they're old enough to not get lost easily (like 10 days old or so) having a much bigger space will be appreciated by them!

If power can be run out to the coop and it's finished enough to be safe and secure, brooding outdoors is always an option too.
 
it definitely won’t be big enough once you get another feeder. If you can find an appliance box that is the best thing I’ve found to brood in because you can throw it away after. Plastic totes are easy to clean but good at trapping ammonia and carbon dioxide which can be bad news for chicks. Something they can see through would be even better so when you move them out into the coop it’s not such a shock (little box to big wide world). Sometimes a wire dog kennel works for this when they’re bigger.
Wouldn’t a cardboard box get soggy and smelly? I clean their bin at least twice a day, if not more, but they’re just so messy, I feel like a box would be so much worse. Dog kennels are a little pricy, but I have a larger bin I want to switch them to when they’re ready for aspen shavings. I just wanna know if this is alright for the first two weeks.
 
Wouldn’t a cardboard box get soggy and smelly? I clean their bin at least twice a day, if not more, but they’re just so messy, I feel like a box would be so much worse. Dog kennels are a little pricy, but I have a larger bin I want to switch them to when they’re ready for aspen shavings. I just wanna know if this is alright for the first two weeks.
Not if you use pee pads on the bottom. A hamper or a thriftstore rabbit cage can also be used.
 
Wouldn’t a cardboard box get soggy and smelly? I clean their bin at least twice a day, if not more, but they’re just so messy, I feel like a box would be so much worse. Dog kennels are a little pricy, but I have a larger bin I want to switch them to when they’re ready for aspen shavings. I just wanna know if this is alright for the first two weeks.
I put more cardboard or paper towels underneath the bedding. I also do shavings right away. The box is good unless you spill water (which I’ve done). They will grow a lot in two weeks. Bigger chicks, bigger poop. I would use the size you have for about a week.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom