Cleaning Brooder

[Hickory_Hills]

I am super new to raising chickens.
When I clean the brooder, the chicks will pile in one of the corners. To the point that the ones on the outside will leap into the middle to “get away.” I try to move slowly and speak calmly. I am worried that they will hurt one another.
Is there a better way??

 

[rosemarythyme]

What does your brooder look like? With an indoor brooder I found it easier to remove them from the brooder entirely when cleaning, so I just put them in a shoebox.

 

[Hickory_Hills]

What does your brooder look like? With an indoor brooder I found it easier to remove them from the brooder entirely when cleaning, so I just put them in a shoebox.

I have a large tote in the house; for now. Eventually, I will move the brooder to the garage. Do they get super worked up when you grab them?

 

[Huntmaster]

Also, if you are reaching in from above you can trigger their arial predator instants.

 

[Huntmaster]

You should always try to approach from same level not from above.

 

[Hickory_Hills]

You should always try to approach from same level not from above.

Ahh gotcha. Yeah, my tote is tall, and I each from above.

 

[Huntmaster]

Ahh gotcha. Yeah, my tote is tall, and I each from above.

Yes, that doesn't help when trying to clean or handle. Always best to approach from their level and move slowly when trying to handle or catch them if possible.

 

[Huntmaster]

And good luck in your new chicken adventures. There are some very knowledgeable folks on BYC that are more than willing to help so just ask.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I have a large tote in the house; for now. Eventually, I will move the brooder to the garage. Do they get super worked up when you grab them?

They're not happy about it. As Huntmaster noted, they're programed to fear something coming down on them from above, so if there's space for it try and approach with your hand from the side and scoop them up from below.

My current brooder set up requires zero cleaning as it's outdoors. Do you have your coop set up already? If you can run electricity out there you might want to consider brooding outside, depending on what temperatures look like.

 

[Hickory_Hills]

Yes, that doesn't help when trying to clean or handle. Always best to approach from their level and move slowly when trying to handle or catch them if possible.

I see. Should I look at making a different brooder?