Cleaning the brooder?

[MissAnnieFrannie]

I have about 10 chicks in a rubber made container w/ pine shavings right now, and by rule of thumb, I just always dump out everything into the compost bin every saturday morning. It doesnt ever get too stinky, but there is plenty of poo and moisture by then to constitute starting new. And it literally takes like 5 mins.

 

[happyhensny]

We have 32 - 2 week old chicks. Change it every day - because they do smell! The brooder is about 3 x 5.

 

[Elite Silkies]

Quote:
These that I'm getting are custom made. I'll ask her if I can upload a pic of them tomorrow

I bet those will be much easier to use. I think wire is better than shavings. Shavings create a lot of dust also.

 

[bigstack]

Wood duck, Can I ask why you are giving anti biotics? Are they sick? If not I would stop emediately! Giving medication when not really needed helps germs to grow resistant to meds later. Are you feeding medicated chick starter? Just thought I'd ask.

God Bless!

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Quote:
These that I'm getting are custom made. I'll ask her if I can upload a pic of them tomorrow

I bet those will be much easier to use. I think wire is better than shavings. Shavings create a lot of dust also.

I have asked Penny if she'd upload a pic of them (or if she minds if I do). I hope to get mine in time for my hatch that's due Sunday.

 

[Robbinita]

Mine are only 3 days old, but I have been putting paper towels on top of the pine shavings. I just remove the paper towels every morning and put new ones down. Pretty easy. I have 6 in there. I may have to start doing something different as they get bigger, though. The newspaper thing is a good idea- once they are steady on their feet.

 

[bigstack]

I was gonna use papertowels. then I rememberd a package of puppy pads I had left. They fit perfectly in the tote. I just don't unfold all the way. very easy to roll up and replace.

God Bless!

 

[MagsC]

I have used wood shavings from the beginning. I clean brooders every few days by putting the babies in a box and dumping the brooder mess out into the compost.

 

[bigstack]

I use 5 inches of pine shavings now. It's so funny to watch them take a dust bath in the pine shavings! LOL They are 5 weeks old now. Couple more weeks and out they go! DANG!!! I need to hurry and finish the new coop! LOL

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Ok for some odd reason, Penny can't log on, so I'm posting these pictures of her rubbermaid brooder bottom for her.

The end with the three boards close together are for holding the feed and water.

Here it is fitted inside of the Rubbermaid brooder. Around the edges you can put rolled newspaper to keep the chicks from falling in any cracks.
Underneath the frame, you'd place a lining of newspapers and over the top, until the chicks are a little bigger, it can be lined with paper towels.

and here it is in use.

I personally find this idea ingenius and can't wait to pick mine up this weekend.

No more spilled water in the pine chips making a nasty sour smell! No more pine chips IN the water and food dish! No more pine chip dust! Easy to just roll up the the top liner and toss it in the garbage.