Can I use a plastic storage bin with my heat lamp?

[Elizabethwood09]

I used a clear plastic bin with a heat lamp for the first 9 days with my chicks and they were fine. However, the light was not attached to the bin itself but rather to a cabinet nearby. I did spend a couple of hours the first day getting the angle and the temp. right but after that they were fine.

 

[CaroleW]

A brooding plate is so much nicer and better and the chicks can decide when and if they want heat. Without a light on 24 hours a day they also can sleep at night like they should.

I second that recommendation for a brooding plate type heater - I was scared to get a heat lamp since I made my shower stall in 2nd bathroom into the brooder inside the house. I used the brooder heat plate and just used the bathroom lighting during the day for light. I put in a small watt battery powered light way up high (like MOONLIGHT) at night mainly so I could see to adjust the setup if needed without flipping on lights. With brooder plate heater I was not scared that I would burn down the house during the pandemic and be homeless because of the dang heat lamp.

 

[ReliezFarm]

Hi everyone I’m super new to this. Thank you for your help. I’m not loving the cardboard boxes and the chicks are getting bigger anyways. I’d really love to use a nice big plastic storage box but I’m afraid of the heat lamp attached to it. Any experience or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Can I do it? Here’s the lamp

I use the largest Rubbermaid plastic tub I could find. It has high walls so they won't jump out or fly out. You can also put wire mesh over the top when they get bigger but I typically move them outside then. I didn't use a super high wattage heat bulb I think it was only 100 Watts which means you save a lot of energy cost. My temperature Gage is in the bottom of the tub so I know how hot it is. The heat lamp is on a stand which is variable height hanging above the cage. you adjust the height to maintain the desired temperature where the chicks are starting at 95 degrees and working down 5° every week.nice thing about the plastic tub is it is reusable and easily cleaned out. I used corn cob chips as bedding which seemed to last about a week with a couple birds

 

[HomesteadDeb]

I used a huge Rubbermaid tote until mine got too big. Remember to drill some holes in the sides for better ventilation. I also drilled holes and ran a dowle rod through a couple inches up to give them a roost and by 4 weeks they were all perching and sleeping on it. I also used a brooding plate, not a lamp.

 

[Shannonfraser]

I retrofitted a XL dog crate so that my chicks can escape to the opposite end if they choose to get away from the lamp. Super easy to clean too

 

[Lorraine Forster]

I used a plastic tote with a halogen desk lamp for the first 2 1/2 weeks. I put a plastic baby gate over the top and covered 3/4 of it to keep the heat in. I have now moved them into the bathtub... good thing I have 2 bathrooms The extendable babygate fits over the tub too. I am still using the halogen desk lamp and the crew is very happy- 3 weeks old today.

 

[CrisAnderson27]

You can absolutely brood chicks in a plastic tote. My first ever run raising chicks, I did 20 barred rock's in the large grey Wal Mart Rubbermade tote. 250w heat lamp, too.

If you clamp it to the tote...well, the clamps barely work on actual solid surfaces...so best of luck there.

In addition, it's FAR TOO CLOSE to the floor.

I originally hung mine from a shelf above one end of the brooder. This let the chicks escape to the other end to cool off, and get back when they were chilled. Temp sweep from one end to the other with the BULB (not the housing) 24" over the bedding was 68°F to 98°F. My house averages around 65°F in the winter/late spring. I mean, it's May, and it's around 65°F now.

Later, I moved the 2wk old chicks out to my 8x8 insulated metal coop (still sub freezing fairly regularly at night). I screwed mounts into the walls that would allow me to hang TWO lamps, in a single corner...to create an area of heat radiating outwards to the other three corners. They LOVED it. Stayed warm and safe in their corner, but...like they do with mother hen...could run and play in the cold, and feathered out very quickly.

You can see that here, this was the first night:

They were in the run all day (free choice) in temps as low as 40°F by 4wks...with the coop setup as a brooder with the heat lamps in the corner.

I'm currently raising three goslings. I used the old tote for the first 7 days (at which point they outgrew it lol), and built a simple wood stand to be used with a lamp and C-clamp. The lamp can be raised up to 4' off the brooder floor.

You can see that setup here:

(ignore the subject of the video, you can see the brooder at 0:48s)

And here:

(brooder portion starts at 0:23s)

After the first 7 days, I built a 4x4 brooder box from plywood. I then simply stuck the entire stand IN the box. It gives them a nice warm corner they mostly avoid unless they're drying off lol.

You can see that here:

Brooder's are pretty simple things (assuming you have enough heat) if you either A: have enough room for them to escape whatever heat you apply, or B: are willing to monitor their heat based on their behavior, and adjust it as necessary for their health and comfort.

Also remember, chicks generate heat themselves, and LOVE TO CROWD UP. If you have too much heat in the brooder, they'll cook themselves to death in the coolest corner by dogpiling on it.

Oh, and on a final note...if you have something hot enough you won't touch it with a bare hand, you probably shouldn't ever let it have a chance to touch something living, or flammable, or both. Tie it to a ceiling hook if you have to (make sure THAT is in a stud thanks)....but don't hang it off a piece of plastic.

 

[Mid014]

Hi everyone I’m super new to this. Thank you for your help. I’m not loving the cardboard boxes and the chicks are getting bigger anyways. I’d really love to use a nice big plastic storage box but I’m afraid of the heat lamp attached to it. Any experience or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Can I do it? Here’s the lamp

Hi. I use a large high walled plastic bin with some play sand in the bottom with a 125 heat lamp suspended above one corner. this leaves room for growing chicks and room for them to move away from the heat if they get to warm. I have found this works really well. the chicks do a very good job of self regulating their temperatures. in the morning I would find them near the heat lamp but during the day they might nap in a different corner. hope that helps

 

[margaretbyrd]

I use the really large plastic storage boxes - 2 ft X 4ft type. On one end I clamp a 2X4 and I run a rod under the light clamp near the lamp so it doesn't drop. Then I put water on the other end and feed along the side. It has worked well for me for years. If it is too hot they move to the far end near the water. Too cold they collect under the light. I am often using the back screen porch for the tub in March. I can put the lid on the side without the clamp and the clamp holds the top open on the other end. On really cold days I can block off the opening on the sides with a towel. As it gets warmer instead of a heat lamp I put a regular light bulb in the lamp. Key is to be aware of your chicks. P.S. I have 1"x1" wire I can put on top when it is too warm for the plastic cover. I'll make a picture.

 

[Foxinthehenhouse]

I’ve raised all my chicks in plastic bins. I use a ceramic reptile bulb and have a thermometer on floor of bin under light. I raise or lower the light to get the right temperature. I have never had a problem.