Do baby chicks need a "house" in the brooder?

[bawkbawkbawk]

I've seen many recommendations in favor of putting toys in the brooder. My chicks only played with them briefly, so not sure I would bother with it again, but I don't see what the problem would be as long as there's not a choking hazard.

I have also seen many recommendations against using newspaper, at least without paper towels on top. The surface is slippery and apparently can cause foot/leg problems for very young chicks. Not to mention the newsprint rubs off on them and on you.

 

[4hLuvers]

Quote:
Well its true there are A LOT of chicken books out there. But one book that we read before getting ANY chickens was Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens. It has everything you need to know about raising chickens! Whenever i have a question about my peeps i can ALLWAYS find an answer in this book. So, since i had the book nearby i looked up about brooders and it had a list of all the things a brooder should provide:
-adequate space
-protection from predators
-protection from moisture
-reliable heat source (lightbulb

)
-freedom from drafts
-good ventilation

overall there wasnt really anything about a shelter or a house for the chicks. Our chicks started out in our garage but grew pretty fast and we were moving them to a bigger box every week it seemed. So we decided to move them outside to a fenced off area in our chicken run so they would have more room. Since the run is outside and open, there were no solid walls to protect them from the cold, wind etc. So we did put a bucked in the area on its side with some nice dry straw and they loved it.

So its not necessary to include a separate house or anything unless your current brooder doesnt meet all the requirements in the list. Definitely check out the book. Its got everything from how to kill a chicken to what to do with the feathers when they fall out!

-4hLuvers <3

 

[chickendude]

Well its true there are A LOT of chicken books out there. But one book that we read before getting ANY chickens was . It has everything you need to know about raising chickens! Whenever i have a question about my peeps i can ALLWAYS find an answer in this book. So, since i had the book nearby i looked up about brooders and it had a list of all the things a brooder should provide:
-adequate space
-protection from predators
-protection from moisture
-reliable heat source (light bulb )
-freedom from drafts
-good ventilation

That book (Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens)was my Bible to my new chickens. But even though I thoroughly read it and understood it I was still a little intimidated to have day old chicks and this site is a fantastic place to ask foolish questions to calm any fears you may have. And when I say foolish questions I mean that in a sarcastic way.

 

[newchickmom09]

Rancher Hicks~ thank you for all of that. Everything that I have read says to put a roosting pole in there about 5 inches off of the ground and when they get big enough to jump up there then it is ok. I will defiantly look more into that because what you say about there breast bone being soft makes a lot of sence since all of there bones are forming and growing.

About my "house" question I haven't read or seen anything about putting a little house or something they can go into in there brooder, that's why I asked. It really isn't a big deal, I was just wondering if anyone has. I don't want them to go into the box and get too cold in there and not come out. I assume they will if they get cold. We have a heat lamp for them with a red light. I read white lights can make them peck at each other and not let them rest as much.

I have read about not using newspaper or anything slippery because it can cause "splayed leg". I plan on using pine bedding.

I love seeing everyones pictures of there brooders, it does help since we are still setting ours up!

This is all part of doing our homework for us newbies, getting to know what others do and coming to a good conclusion for yourself.

Thanks veryone.

 

[TXmom]

Quote:
I read a lot about chicks before I got them, and posting questions on this site can be a very helpful part of doing your homework. There is not just one perfect way to raise chicks.

I don't think it hurts anything to put houses or play things in the brooder. A brooder box with nothing in it isn't interesting or educational to the chicks, even if they are not rabbits or guinea pigs. In "nature" the chicks would be raised by momma hen and learning all sorts of things starting Day 1. I'm not saying a cardboard box and ramp is supposed to exactly simulate nature, but it's something for them to do. They played king of the mountain on that box and started working out their pecking order. Learning to roost off the ground on a large 2x4 didn't cause any dents in their breast bones that I know of. I'm not an expert, but I'm proud of the way I raised and cared for my chicks, and they are happy and healthy pullets (and cockerels) now.

 

[rancher hicks]

Before I got my chicks I checked out every book on chickens/poultry I could get. And most books had the basics in common. There were differences and they might be helpful in certain cases. I figured what I missed in one I might catch in another. Still one book is better than nothing. I've read the one recommended it is a good book.

I can't really say which book mentioned roosting chicks denting their breast bones. While I don't think it will kill them, their constantly resting on it will leave a permanent dent. Kinda like my sisters head. (just kidding). It's just that I see new chick owners missing the basics. These are babies and they are fragile. These books were written by some expert chicken people.

Yes newspapers by themselves are not good, covering them with white paper towels is beneficial in monitoring their poop. It also mean regular changing of their bedding for the first few weeks.
I don't remember at what age I switched to wood chips, but it was about a month or two.
I subscribe to Backyard Poultry and there are some good articles and information in it.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other post.

Gail Damerow's 'Storey's Guide to Chickens' is an excellent resource, as well as this web site which is an excellent source of information

 

[cmom]

My chicks mostly sleep eat and poop for the first couple of weeks. I put their brooders in the coops. I leave the brooder door open so they can go in and out.

 

[Sitka]

Avoid cedar chips

 

[Luna_Chick66]

Quote:
Your post is so warm and inviting.

Hi, I'm a stoopit newb. I just got my baby chicks (8 of them) the other day. I have done lots of reading prior to getting my babies, but came here to get actual hands on experience.

I will try not to be such a burden with my newbie-ness. This is my first backyard PET flock.