Cleaning the Brooder

[GiddyMoon]

I used paper towels for the first few days then I went into my sandy backyard, got a bunch of sand, and used that. Best decision I could have made. As for super cleanliness...just like kids, we are NOT helping them grow an immunity to things by keeping them in a germ free bubble. This does more harm than good. If they were being raised by their mom, they would be pecking at dirt and poop and sleeping all over the place. While I agree it is important not to have chicken poo covering the entire floor or the ammonia smell so strong it knock you off your feet...they are chickens and we should not be trying to keep them germ and bacteria free. They will need that immunity when they head outside.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi All,

GiddyMoon I think you answered what I was trying to ask I just could not put it into
words.

I was wondering what the line was between keeping the brooder clean and allowing
them to build an immunity to the things they will be encountering outside. I do not want
to do too much harm either way.

I have 16 BO in a large brooder so it will take a while for them to totally get it nasty, but even
then at what point should I clean or let them build an immunity without getting them sick.

Thanks

 

[GiddyMoon]

Quote:
You will be surprised as to how fast it can get smelly. I love the sand. But we are also in AZ and it is dry here so it dries out really fast. If you walk in and it stinks, or you can see all they are doing is stepping and sleeping in poo, I would change it. Make sure the room has ventilation too. For the first few days 27 were in a stock tank in our laundry room with the screen door window open for fresh air..they grew quick, within a week they moved to the shop that has 3 windows and 3 garage bay doors. We are using a wire framed 5x5 whelping box with 3" of sand on the bottom. I haven't had to clean it since they have been out there..dries really quick and they scratch it all into the dirt and sand.

Here is where they are at now. We built a wire top for it last night.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If one broods in a small brooder, the smell gets intense fairly quickly. Which is one reason, among many, that I use a huge brooder out in the barn or in the garage. Sometimes I have 24 chicks to brood, other times only a dozen. The 5 x 8.5 utility box trailer is perfect. I lay in 2" of fresh yellow straw and that's it. The little chick poop dries quickly and falls down through the straw to the bottom. I move the over head light bar once or twice, to re-locate their sleeping area. 5-6 weeks, they are out in the barn in a grow out pen. I hook my tractor up to the trailer and pull it out the garden and sweep it out. Done. One time.