Brooder Size??!!

[VivereIam]

Hi, so I'm going to be getting 6 standard chicks relatively soon, and I'm gonna need to start getting my brooder ready eheh. Anyway I've heard from some friends say that one of those giant plastic tubs/totes will be perfectly fine for them. Validations, contradictions, or other options anyone??

 

[jessietacos]

A plastic bin or cardboard box would be fine for holding chicks. Size wise, I've heard that about two square feet per chick works best for the long run.

 

[sdm111]

Biggest plastic tote u can find.

 

[FaithM]

I started to use a large plastic tote when we first got my 7 chicks, but I found that the chicks couldn't escape the heat if they needed to and they didn't have enough space, so I constructed a large brooder out of several deconstructed cardboard boxes (we had just moved, so they were abundant ) and that has worked really well for them. Make sure that you put the food and water on the opposite side of the brooder farthest away from the heat lamp so that they don't fall asleep in their water and drown.. Good luck! Chicks are so much fun!

 

[VivereIam]

Thanks!! Using a cardboard box sounds a whole lot easier, but I heard that mold can become a problem. Does it??

 

[FaithM]

I haven't had a problem with mold, but if you're worried about it, you could always line the bottom of the brooder with large plastic garbage bags and/or clean the brooder often if using wood shavings, or use sand and just sift through it once a day to get the poop out.

 

[sdm111]

Cardboard harbors funk. Plastic non porus easy to clean.

 

[jessietacos]

Card board boxes work fine if you line them with plastic, but a sturdy plastic container is a lot less messy

 

[cafarmgirl]

I have always used big cardboard boxes or wooden boxes. I line the bottom with newspaper and cover that with a thick layer of pine shavings. Super easy to just roll it up and toss it when it's time to clean. There should never be enough wetness/dampness to cause any kind of mold, if there is you are not keeping the brooder clean and dry enough. The other nice thing about a cardboard box is when your done with it or it gets worn just toss it.

If you go with a plastic tote you'll have to get a really big one. I have actually seen very few that are big enough to keep chicks in until they are old enough to move to the coop without the chicks being overcrowded. As mentioned they need a couple of square feet per bird if you want them to stay in there until they are 4 or 5 weeks old.

 

[gander007]

Your chicks will be growing fast so the largest box you can find the better ....


Brooders only need to have plenty of room ....






Enough room fore your poultry to inspect each other

And a clean environment with plenty of clean water & feed ...





Heat and ventilation ....






Enough space to get away from the heat source ....














gander007