Brooder too small

[RebelChief]

I originally planned to only have 4 chicks so I set up my brooder in a 100 gallon galvanized metal trough. Now because I had to order more for delivery to my zipcode (8 total) I'm worried I don't have enough space. I went with the brooder plate instead of a heat lamp which takes up half of the darn space if I sit it in there so I plan to suspend it. Should I just get something bigger before they arrive or am I over thinking it? Can I start them in there and move them out as they get bigger? They will be in my garage (insulated and relatively warm in general) so I could set up the panels to give them a bigger space as they grow.

Yes...I'm a nervous mom and they aren't even here yet.

 

[chrissynemetz]

Can you post pictures of your setup?

 

[SueT]

You can probably start them in there. What are the dimensions of that container, length, width, and height? You can move them to coop at 4-5 weeks, and alleviate crowding that way. Or some people just brood them in the coop.

 

[RebelChief]

The tank is 2x4x2. My brooder is by Producer's Pride and is 12x18. I will post a picture shortly. The problem with the brooder is that the legs make it wider than 18 inches and if I set it on the bottom I would have to put it long ways. I think I will suspend it either from a tripod or the wall which will allow me to put it in without the legs. It will make more sense when my pictures upload.

 

[RebelChief]

 

[SueT]

The tank is 2x4x2.

I use a cage of those dimensions for a brooder. I have used it for up to 6 chicks and felt it was spacious enough. My heat source is a ceramic heat bulb, which fits in a clamp light fixture. I put in branches for them to add vertical space. Of course it has a top so they can't fly out. As I said, I wean them from heat and move them to coop at 4-5 weeks.

 

[SueT]

View attachment 1961447 View attachment 1961448 View attachment 1961449

well they can get on top of the heat plate...that creates more space for them

 

[RebelChief]

You can probably start them in there. What are the dimensions of that container, length, width, and height? You can move them to coop at 4-5 weeks, and alleviate crowding that way. Or some people just brood them in the coop.

I will start in the brooder. The builder that is building my coop should have it done by the end of the week. So it will hopefully be all predator proof and ready by the time they are ready to get out of the brooder.

 

[SueT]

I think you'll be just fine. Be sure to post pics of your chicks!

 

[RebelChief]

well they can get on top of the heat plate...that creates more space for them

That's true...I didn't think of that. Not sure why. I'm a nervous mom.