Does a brooder need a top?

[dancingmama]

We are going to use a box that is about 17" high, with a heat lamp. We have no pets.
Do we need some sort of mesh or wire top, or can I just leave it open? At what point can they
get out of something that high?

Thank you!!!

 

[chicmom]

I never have a top on mine......now, I can't say the exact age where they can fly up and get out, but you'll know when it's time to put them into a coop or put some type of lid on it.....

 

[gettinaclue]

We didn't have a top on ours at first. That change when they were just a few weeks old. It doesn't take long for them to start flappin' all over the place LOL

 

[TurkeyMountainChickens]

We have a lid - but I don't use it when the chicks are young.

Once they hit 4 weeks or so, they do start flying out, and I use the lid. It's just chicken wire, but it keeps them in. I keep them in the brooder (which is BIG) until they are big enough to handle mixing with the big kids.

So the lid is handy. Otherwise - it's chickens on the loose in the carport!

 

[dancingmama]

Wow, thanks all!

So, will they still need the heat lamp when it's time for a lid of some sort?
Or will they be done with that by then....?

I'm sooo excited -- getting 3 chicks this week. I'm in a small city that allows up to 4 backyard
hens. I know, tiny compared to most here, but nonetheless....

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

regardless to how many you are getting....you are living the dream. go for it. I keep mine in the house out of the bator for about a week to two and then to a brooder outside that is about 17in. high and about 8 feet long and 1 1/2 feet wide with 2 heat lamps on them for about 6 weeks and then into an aviary which I can walk into and feed them and handle them until I can put them with the big chickens and they are ready for laying pellets...

 

[Manda0227]

For me, I just feel safer WITH a top. Even though my lamps are secure.. I'm always paranoid of it falling in, and ON the chicks.. or worse falling in and starting a fire. Thats just me though. I know others have had chicks for years, and no tops at all! I *am* the person that kind of stuff happens to! Not taking any chances here! I had to make a temporary brooder for 3 chicks (they were sooooo small, and newly hatched) and I DIDN'T have a top on it. I was so worried about it. The lamp didn't fall in, but I found one of my cats in there sleeping with the chicks. Lets just say I freaked the heck out, and it had a make-shift top on it, and the next day they were in with the rest!

 

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

One batch of chicks were flying up on the edge of their Rubbermaid brooder when they were just 2 weeks old! I use a window screen and hang the lamp from the ceiling...adjust til I get the heat just right.

Good luck with your babes.

 

[Penturner]

I have a 5 week old White Japanese Bantam that can get 2 feet in the air or more already. has been able to do that for over a week. A lot depends on the breed though. some fly better than others.

 

[felidaet]

I would suggest a lid to keep them from flying out. If you have the brooder in a cool place, such as a garage, a lid can help keep the heat in. My brooder is built from wood. I have a thin wood lid covering most of the brooder. The end where the heat lamp is located has a lid made from hardware cloth.