Chicks are comming earlier than planned!!!

[tktagalongtek]

When I ordered my chicks (yesterday) I was told that they wouldn't arrive for 2-3 weeks......got a phone call this morning saying that they would be delivered Friday (as in 3 days from now). So now I'm in a panic---what the heck do I put them in now??? I was planning on getting a brooder built in the time I had, now that's just not gonna happen in time. I've got a big wash tub--will that work for 15 chicks while I get the brooder built? I'm thinking that it shouldn't take me more than a few days (a week at most) to get it put together, but since I can't get to the lumber yard till the paycheck comes in (a few days after the chicks arrive), I'm kinda stuck.

 

[Dawn419]

Do you have a good sized cardboard box handy? They make great brooders when you need one in a hurry. Also check in the "Show me your brooder" thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6233

Hope this helps!

Dawn

 

[cjeanean]

for 15 little baby chicks you can probably just use a large rubbermaid container....that was big enough for all of mine for a few weeks. That's also what I'm planning to use when I get my order in May, I'm gonna have 27 birds. They don't need too terribly much space until they start getting bigger, I had 8 babies in a tiny rubbermaid container for about 2 weeks and they were fine. They do grow quickly, so make sure you work on a bigger brooder in the meantime. I moved my 8 into a 55gal rbm container, and they're about a month old now and still have enough room. You should be good with 15 for at least 2-3 weeks.

 

[Dilly]

I have a 25 x 36 inch container for the 6-8 chicks coming this week. How long do you think that should hold them? It is also about 18 inches tall.

Thanks

 

[cjeanean]

that should be plenty for at least a while....that's what, 2x3ft??? The small container I had my 8 in wasn't even that big, maybe 1.5x1.5ft. It lasted about 2 weeks, and the only reason I upgraded as soon as I did was because they were eating more and the feeder I had in there took up too much space.

 

[Silverduck]

I used a cardboard box that a 32" TV came in for my brooder. I hatched 17 bantams, they stayed in the box for 4 weeks. I just had to change the paper everyday. I kept them in the house. I had a clip on light that I hung over the box. My DH built a wooden stand to hang the light on. It worked perfectly. Sandy in AL

 

[tktagalongtek]

Hey, thanks! I hadn't even thought of using a rubber maid container--I've got those comming out my ears now that the bulbs are in the ground....plenty of room & a lid too to keep the dog from getting too curious....I knew someone would have a solution for me.....my brain's been off since I got that phone call.