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

[easterbun]

It was scary using one the first time. The chicks tend to be so content that they are quiet. I was not used to quiet chicks.

That was my experience as well the first time I used a heating plate as well - it was soooo much quieter (with much less jostling/complaining searching for the "perfect" spot) and it was clear that the chicks were much happier, but I was constantly picking it up and looking under to make sure everyone was okay.

 

[The Buffest Orpington]

I use a plastic tote with a heat lamp for the first 10 days.
I don't clamp it to the tote. I clamp to a solid object like a cabinet next to the tote so it's higher.
I also use a plug-in dimmer cord to control temperature.
This is the one I use, it's rated for 300 watts.View attachment 2104451. It's available at Wal-Mart and Amazon.View attachment 2104452. GC

That's exactly what I'm doing with my first batch of chicks as well. Plastic totes aren't bad if you're careful.

The tote needs to be big enough to give them 6 to 12 square inches each (more as they age), and as you say, the lamp should be clipped to a solid shelf or something next to the brooder. I use that same dimmer to gradually lower the temperature as the chicks age, and simply check the floor temperature under the lamp with an infrared thermometer like this one:

My chicks appear to be pleased as punch.

 

[cmom]

I used a tote once and I cooked most of the chicks. A few survived. I was so mad at myself.

 

[GC-Raptor]

Aha! That’s the kind of stuff I haven’t figured out...when to stop with the heat lamp or make it lower temp. How do you know when it’s time?

First, heat lamp should be above brooder on right or left side.
The first week of life, temperature under heat light at bottom of brooder should be about 95F.
Observe chicks, if they are huddled under the light and chirping they are cold. If they are away from light most of the time, it's probably to hot.
If the brooder is in a place where the temperature changes night and day like in a coop or unheated, cooled porch, then you'll need to check temperatures several times daily.
Continue to lower temperature under the light 5 to 10F degrees weekly, but observe the chicks behavior and raise or lower temps as needed.
Usually when chicks 5 weeks old, heat is only needed if temps drop below 50F degrees. But, some breeds, and bantams may need heat longer depending on temperatures.
Observations are the best way to know for sure.
In this picture they are comfortable. They aren't directly under the light, nor far away.

They venture to the feeder and waterer as needed. GC

 

[BalesBgarb]

Here’s my girls. Happy quiet pooping smelly.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have my babies in a plastic bin with a regular light, but this brooding plate sounds great! Where can I find one?

Amazon, or most any online poultry store/resource.

I have 4 chicks born around the first week of April. How would you arrange that in the barn? There’s so many predators in the barn. I’m nervous. I read all the reviews for this coop I bought and asked questions on amazon and over 20 people said it was a great space for 4 full for what hens and that there was enough ventilation because the boards are not air tight. Could I put that in a barn stall and have them sleep in it at night? That’s what I want. Locked up safe from the cats mice groundhog and raccoon. They all get in there. How have chickens survived on farms for so long!

Well... the reality is "the farm chicken" survives by out-reproducing the losses from predators, accidents, chicken dinner time, etc..

If you can predator proof a stall that really would be pretty ideal set up (lots of wire mesh, floor to ceiling), but if this is what you have to work with, it'll at least hold them while they're little. Really should consider adding onto it at the very least (maybe you can get some scrap wood from pallets for example, and extend out a wall) because it's just not much floor space and I completely disagree with their ventilation claim as there are NO actual vents whatsoever and they even suggest putting linoleum on the floor, which by their claim is the source of ventilation! Ventilation should be up high to allow moist air to escape, not just gaps in the floor boards.

I'd also swap out the roost bars because from the looks of it they're very narrow, barely 1" across at most. And they're only inches off the floor. But that's a very easy fix.

 

[aart]

Here’s my girls. Happy quiet pooping smelly.

Get a bigger box...
one of the biggest problems with totes and heat lamps is they are too small.
...and read this if you missed it before:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/

 

[BalesBgarb]

I’m gonna have hubby drill a few holes for ventilation. No linoleum for me. I found a great coop on instructables that looks perfect but I cannot build it. Have to rely on hubby and it’s not top priority So for now it will have to do. The other ones I found were hundreds of $$ and had terrible reviews. This one was atleast 4 star. I was concerned about the roost bar too. Most people commented that it was fine and one guy said to try a tension shower curtain rod. Genius! We’ll see

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I have my babies in a plastic bin with a regular light, but this brooding plate sounds great! Where can I find one? Are they super expensive? Thanks!

I highly recommend these. I have both a small and an extra small that I use all the time with the plastic dome covers.
https://www.premier1supplies.com/p/heating-plates-and-covers
They may seem pricey at first but after doing the math, I realized they almost paid for themselves in a bit over one brooding in electrical savings.

thank you! I guess it’s time to start lowering my heat lamp down 5 degrees. The little gals are getting spoiled. I know these hens will be hearty and the Miller said they’ll be fine in the winter but I’m still so worried. I have read so much that my head is exploding and I’m thinking, “people have raised chickens forever stop freaking out”. But I’m still anxious as heck

The thing to remember is that chickens, even chicks, aren't fragile. Breeds have been developed on every continent. Some breeds can handle 40 F below zero without any protection. I've had 2 week old chicks jump out of a nest box at dusk and run off into the woods. I assumed they would die from either predation or the 45F temps that night. But lo and behold, the chicks arrived in the morning looking for their mother.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I’m gonna have hubby drill a few holes for ventilation. No linoleum for me. I found a great coop on instructables that looks perfect but I cannot build it. Have to rely on hubby and it’s not top priority So for now it will have to do. The other ones I found were hundreds of $$ and had terrible reviews. This one was atleast 4 star. I was concerned about the roost bar too. Most people commented that it was fine and one guy said to try a tension shower curtain rod. Genius! We’ll see

Maybe if you decide to expand the flock in the future you can talk your hubby into building a nice coop for you!

Well chickens will roost on almost anything, if there's no other option... Not sold on the curtain rod since it's slippery, so wood really would be the best option.

Easiest roost would be (assuming you have some trees around) a 2" diameter branch. Just cut off the ends to fit the width of the coop, then screw through the wall into either end of the branch to secure it.