Do I have everything I need to start?

[Chickassan]

Not super important but a pop up dog playpen is an awesome step up after they outgrow the cardboard box.

 

[jeria]

Not super important but a pop up dog playpen is an awesome step up after they outgrow the cardboard box.

Probably an amazing idea! Don't have one.

 

[jeria]

So a longer brooder box is getting the temp test. I still might have to find a yet bigger one before I get the coop done. That's doable. I will test again tomorrow but so far one end is at 90 the other about 75 which is about my house temp at 73. I can open an ac vent more in that room if need be as it will be closed off from the rest of the house and it might be cooler. Think that will work?

 

[azygous]

That's a good temperature spread now. Your chicks will be much more comfortable. You'll see they will be active and happy.

You have been very wise to get everything all worked out before you get your chicks. You'll be able to relax and enjoy them with the peace of mind you'll have.

 

[jeria]

Have to do the cover tonight and a second temp check. Plans are to stop home before heading to the post office after work when they arrive: Let the pups out, add the waterer and turn the light on the brooder so it heats up. Now just hoping they arrive safely.

 

[jcskowronek]

i would recommend a plastic box instead of cardboard. if chicks spill water it will make a huge mess. they may also learn how to peck holes in it and escape (ive had it happen). plastic will last longer and has less chance of something happening. theyre also super cheap to buy.

 

[Blooie]

Respectfully I can't agree. People use plastic totes and boxes a lot, I know, and quite successfully. But in my opinon (for what that's worth - ) chicks stand a better chance of overheating in them. A chick that is too warm is in as much, if not more, danger than one that gets a few minutes of chill. In fact, a little chill is actually good for them - not cold cold but a much cooler area to go into. There is an alternative to messy, open waterers with nipple waterers, which do a great job of keeping just the chicks and not their entire box hydrated.

 

[azygous]

Also, there's a remedy for keeping cardboard from getting soggy from any spills, should they occur. You simply line the bottom with 6 mil plastic and put shavings on top. I've reused cardboard brooder boxes three or four years in a row.

But nothing is as convenient and beneficial as brooding out in a coop or run where it's natural for chicks to be.

 

[jeria]

The chicks shipped today. I've seen pros and cons on both the plastic and cardboard and appreciate all the opinions. Right now mine is plastic as I had it in the attic, the smaller one was cardboard. I am planning on stopping here and there and see if I can get an appliance box for a step up in size. I simply don't have the time to go hunting a big cardboard box at the moment as I work full time, they can be hard to find. I do have nutra-drench to put in the water for a few days since they are being shipped.

 

[jeria]

I have a 4oz bottle of nutra-drench. It is only enough for 1 gal of water. So with 4 new chicks is using it until it runs our enough, just to get them over the shipping shock and an OK start? At
$8.00 a bottle it would be pretty pricey to keep using it if they are doing well.