Frustrated!!!!!!!!!!

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Would strongly caution you about keeping these chicks. Please read up on diseases and chickens...they could be carries if they survive and infect the rest of your birds...once they get the disease...I think it mareks? They always have it and pass it on though nasal secretions and eggs...very tough but I would give them back to the guy you got them from and whatever...sometimes this disease doesn't show up until the chicken gets stressed, and they seem old enough to fight it-i'm just really concerned for your other birds.I

 

[Panth]

I've seen some other posts along this nature here, but I personally would never use a tupperware container as a brooder. I know some people do, but I always feel like that is a good way to cook your chicks. I would find yourself a much bigger box, like 4 foot long with about 2 foot sides and leave the top completely open with the heat lamp over one end. Chickens need a LOT more ventilation than they can get with just a small opening in an enclosed container. My chicks actually go into a kiddie pool completely open on top at about day 4. They will huddle under the heat lamp if they are cold. DO NOT go by "this is what temperature chicks should be on day ____" They are not blueberry muffins that need to cook at a certain temp. They need to be able to run freely in and out of a heated space. I am by no means a chick expert, but it sounds like they are getting a lot of ammonia buildup from the air, and possibly too much humidity, both are problems in a tupperware brooder.

 

[n8ivetxn]

I agree with Panth, we converted a plywood box (meant to hold one bale of hay) into a brooder box. It has a post on one end, so I clip the lamp on the post (move it up and down for comfort level), and the chicks can get as close or far away as they need. The box is plenty big enough for the 8 of them to run and play at 3 weeks old. Use play sand or large pine shavings for bedding...

 

[bird-brain]

Would strongly caution you about keeping these chicks. Please read up on diseases and chickens...they could be carries if they survive and infect the rest of your birds...once they get the disease...I think it mareks? They always have it and pass it on though nasal secretions and eggs...very tough but I would give them back to the guy you got them from and whatever...sometimes this disease doesn't show up until the chicken gets stressed, and they seem old enough to fight it-i'm just really concerned for your other birds.I

I highly doubt that this is Marek's. This is strictly respiratory with no neurological symptoms and my vet believes is most likely bronchitis due to the rapid onset. It is not chronic and birds do not become carriers, in fact they may become immune to catching it for a while after they have it. I appreciate your concern for my parrots but they are in little danger as long as I am careful because they do not share an air supply with the area the chicks are kept. I am very thankful for that. There is no way I would have risked my exotics for these chicks. At first sneeze they would have been outta here.

I've seen some other posts along this nature here, but I personally would never use a tupperware container as a brooder. I know some people do, but I always feel like that is a good way to cook your chicks. I would find yourself a much bigger box, like 4 foot long with about 2 foot sides and leave the top completely open with the heat lamp over one end. Chickens need a LOT more ventilation than they can get with just a small opening in an enclosed container. My chicks actually go into a kiddie pool completely open on top at about day 4. They will huddle under the heat lamp if they are cold. DO NOT go by "this is what temperature chicks should be on day ____" They are not blueberry muffins that need to cook at a certain temp. They need to be able to run freely in and out of a heated space. I am by no means a chick expert, but it sounds like they are getting a lot of ammonia buildup from the air, and possibly too much humidity, both are problems in a tupperware brooder.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU for that! All of that makes so much sense. I will get on the move about finding a more appropriate set up! I have been suspect of this brooder the whole time.

 

[Panth]

Good luck and keep us up to date! Let us know if it helps and how your chicks are doing.

 

[bird-brain]

Okay, so I built a brooder. Hubby is away at a conference so I did what I could. There was some pre cut wood in the shop so I used it to build an open top box 4 feet long x 2feet wide. I made a two piece frame for the top which I covered with hardware mesh so that it is open for ventilation. I hung a red 250 brooder light on my camera tripod and positioned it at every angle possible until I found the one that gave the beat temperature variance. The light can be raised or lowered by turning a crank on the tripod.

I put aspen shavings in the bottom because I used those for my lovebirds nest boxes as they can not handle oily softwoods. I covered the shavings with white paper towels so the wont eat them.

The chicks are sleeping about midway the box, just at the edge of the strongest part of the light. They are sprawled out like cats! To me that would indicate they are hot but they could go to the other end of the box so maybe not???

Should I have a fan moving some air? Not blowing on them but just moving air?

I'll try to post pics in the morning. Thanks again to everyone for all the help!

 

[Panth]

Wow! I'm impressed! That brooder sounds like you have done an amazing job on it! If they are laying at the outer edge of the heat lamp light that is PERFECT. That is exactly where you want them to be. That shows that they are a comfortable temperature. Mine always lay with their tails facing the light.

The aspen shavings are wonderful and the extra ventilation should really really help. Have you noticed any difference in their breathing yet?

 

[bird-brain]

Not yet, Panth. I actually just got them in about 2 hours ago. It took me all day to screw the brooder together. Lol. I'm worried it may be a little deep but I used what I had because the table saw is in about ten pieces cuz it was dismantled to make room for more stuff in the truck and I wouldn't even try to put it together. Lol. It's 24 inches deep. Is that bad? They do jump and flap a lot and actually hit the top of the old brooder a few times.

Maybe it's my imagination but they seem more...relaxed I guess is the word. But now that you mention it I don't hear constant sneezes coming from the box...

 

[Panth]

You will be glad of the depth when they hit chick-a-saurus age and start bouncing off the walls!

 

[bird-brain]

LOL. They already remind me of dinosaurs! Gosh they grow up so fast!