chicks in the house until feathered out

[Kimycluckcluck]

We just picked up 5 chicks & 2 ducks - they are in the house right now as they have not feathered out. I have them in a oval wash tub with a heat lamp but am worried about the size until they feather out - what else can I use for a pen until that time?

 

[Judy]

You need to tell us how old they are. If you don't know, look around in different threads til you can guess. They don't need to be fully feathered to go outside.

To make a larger brooder, just find a shipping carton that was used for a refrigerator or something like that, and piece it together with duct tape if needed.

 

[ORChickFam]

Cardboard is definitely the cheapest way to go. Plus you can take multiple boxes and add on to make it suit whatever room they're in. We ended up with three boxes, door holes cut out and lost of duct tape with puppy pads on the bottom to keep the bottom dry.

 

[tsmith91]

They grow very quickly so the more space you can give them the better cardboard would be the way to go you can piece it together just make it high enough they will be flying out before you know it

 

[Kimycluckcluck]

they will be 1 week old on Monday - is it safe to use a heat lap with cardboard? Sorry if dumb question just want all safe - first experience, Thank you for your replies

 

[tsmith91]

It should be ok as long as the light isn't too close to the cardboard just make sure the light is well secured

 

[yardbird53]

Here's a photo of my cardboard condo for my chicks. They are about 3 weeks old here. The water bottle is hanging from an old shower curtain rod that is on the top of the box. Instead of doggy pads in the bottom (didn't think of them), I used an old dog food bag opened up and taped it in then pine shavings in it which I changed out every couple days. I was happy when the day came when I could put them outside. I used a lamp for them outside too until the smallest one was feathered out. I just used a 60 watt bulb. The heat lamp would have been too hot. The access door is on the right and there is one in the left side condo too. The light is turned off in the left side since they all slept in the large side.I put their food on a bricks to keep it higher up than the shavings. Even when they're small, they scratch.

 

[Kimycluckcluck]

My husband ended up making a large box out of fire resistance foam board we had lying around in the basement - we did not have a large cardboard box - we have Brahmas & 2 ducks. I understand they take about 4 weeks to feather out before y can take them to their coop - I am excited to start this new adventure & will be asking alot of questions - we live in central Il

 

[lazy gardener]

Kimmy, if you're using the foam I'm familiar with, they will eat it. Not a good situation, unless you have it lined with something to keep them from getting their beaks into it.

 

[tsmith91]

You can keep them in the coop now as long as they have a heat source to go and warm up when they need to and it's safe from predators