Getting my new chicks today why am I nervous?

[Dan nich]

So after refreshing myself on chick rearing I notice my set up isn’t appropriate does anyone see anything wrong with this? I keep light on one corner and food and water on other it’s for 9 chicks off they all arrive alive I pray? Should I drill extra air holes in sides?

 

[Dan nich]

I mean appropriate to standards on YouTube I’ve reared chicks in this befor

 

[WallyG74]

If it has worked for you before, I wouldn’t worry about what YouTube says. Sounds like new chick jitters. You’ll be fine.

 

[LizzzyJo]

This looks great to me! They will grow out of it, but for a few weeks no additional air holes are needed. Change the litter at least every other day. Watching YouTube can be like googling illnesses . Get yourself a few good books on the subject and turn to this site. Stop using YouTube to worry yourself. Those people do weird things for clicks not for bird health.

- A Teacher.

 

[jreardon1918]

They will grow out of that quickly. But for a little while it will be OK. Could you cut a window in the side? It would allow bedding to escape, but would give the chicks a view of the world. And maybe better air flow.

 

[Artemis_MA]

I rhink they're fine. Mine start off life in small cardboard boxes, and I gradually find larger and larger boxes for them, covering the tops with hardware wire. I weigh the hardware wire down with a strip of spare lumber (usually a 2 x 4.) but anything heavy enough and handy that doesn't obstruct much air or light will work.

For their first week, I don't bother with a lid of any sort - this allows me to get the heat lamp closer to them, and at that point they're not going to jump out of any practical box.

They've ended up in boxes that once housed toilets (appropriate) or chest freezers (for some of mine, also appropriate). With nine birds, towards the end of their stay, i may have them split into two separate boxes, and I merge them back together each time I clean their bedding out (in a "transfer box"), so they end up randomized and all know each other by the time they go outdoors. I change bedding every other days - occasionally a third day, but I wait no longer than that.

I line the bottom of cardboard boxes with that non-adhesive shelf lining you can find at places like Bed Bath and Beyond. This keeps the cardboard from rotting. Obviously not needed for plastic or metal containers.

I haven't cut holes into the sides.

 

[LizzzyJo]

They've ended up in boxes that once housed toilets (appropriate) or chest freezers (for some of mine, also appropriate).

 

[Dan nich]

They will grow out of that quickly. But for a little while it will be OK. Could you cut a window in the side? It would allow bedding to escape, but would give the chicks a view of the world. And maybe better air flow.
View attachment 2265479

Like that idea

 

[Ruby Rogue]

Just wondering if you plan on keeping your brooder inside somewhere. Like a coop...garage..the house?

 

[rosemarythyme]

9 birds will outgrow that pretty fast. Also where are you planning to brood and how hot is it in that location? A plastic tote can double as an oven, especially with high temperatures and a heat lamp over that.