concerned and looking for advice

[mamadlh]

Hi everyone,
I am a brand new chicken lover. We have our first 8 chicks and now have a family emergency. Was wondering if there is any danger in converting our 2 1/2 ' w x 6 ' long metal water trough into a brooder that we can set up in our garage with a heat lamp.

My concern is can the baby chicks get sick from pecking at the moss that has grown on the walls of the tank. I scrubbed it good but the tank has been used for years and am sure they will still peck at the sides. Any wisdom out there?

Ever so thankful. Dianne

 

[dawg53]

Welcome to BYC.
I would be concerned that the metal trough would hold heat from the heat lamp and possibly burn the chicks feet. Also I'd be concerned additional radiated heat causing excessive dehydration. Good luck.

 

[DDNONIN2016]

Hello and welcome from Ohio....glad you joined. Good luck with your new chicks

 

[Hazelrah]

Hi Diane and welcome to BYC

What if you lined the trough with an old sheet or two to hide the moss from the chicks? That might also cut down on the radiated heat.

 

[greymane]

 

[stickers]

Hi I raise tons of chicks every year in metal troughs without any problems. Just make sure they can move away from the heat if they need too. Good luck.

 

[NonnasBabies]

Welcome from Louisiana!

I use one and have never had any problems!! I'm not sure about the moss though!!

 

[weimarmama]

&

from Alabama. Glad you joined us.

 

[Kevin565]

 

[LilMissChz]

Greetings from Maryland and welcome to BYC. At my TSC they house their chicks in a similar trough.