Habitat questions

[Tressa27884]

My chicks are about three weeks old, I'd like to move them out of their brooder and into either the kitchen or bathtub. If I put them in either place, are they smart enough to get under the heat lamp if they get cold AND do I need to put the bedding down for them? We have one bathtub, so they'll be sharing with us - I'd like to not have bedding in there that I have to empty and replace every night at family bath time. The kitchen is preferred as it's bigger and allows them more run around room, but I'm concerned they won't figure out where to go when they get cold. Thanks.

 

[BrattishTaz]

Why do you want to take them out of the brooder? Mine are 5 weeks and still living in theirs'. I also can't imagine keeping them in the bathtub. 1) It is slippery and tubs get cold. 2) They will fly out and run all over the place. 3) You do need shavings for sanitation (they poop a LOT) and odor control. 4) You would have to scrub the tub before you used it.

Do you want to put them in something to contain them in the kitchen? If not, they will be flying and pooping everywhere. I have a horrible image in my head now of unintentional "chick" soup while you are cooking.

 

[clairabean]

The will figure it out in a space the size of a bathtub. Maybe not in a space the size of a whole room, though.

I guess I am trying to figure out how you are going to clean out the tub enough every night for family bath time. Seems more of a pain than anything. Not to mention that a tub is quite slippery, more so with no bedding. What about a big box or something instead?

 

[Tressa27884]

I have them in a good size box right now. I have six and it seems they'll be outgrowing the box pretty soon. My bathtub has a textured bottom, so it wouldn't be slippery. I just thought they'd be happier in a bigger space, it's pretty warm here right now - but they won't be cooped until mid May. I just want the little buggers to be happy!

 

[AlienChick]

And if you don't mind buying some PVC piping (about $1.50 for a 10' pipe), you can simply make a larger 5-foot brooder for them.

You'll need 3 pipes; so it'll cost you $4.50. If you don't have any chicken wire or deer netting, you'll have to pick some of that up, too, for the sides.

That's what I ended up doing to give mine more room. I've got 23 chicks in there.

 

[BrattishTaz]

If I had to choose between the two options given, I would choose the kitchen. Maybe you can find a larger box or tape two boxes together with a screen over the top.
I didn't have a brooder when I got my first chicks (3 of them) so I put them in a large dog cage in my living room. I let them run around on the kitchen floor for exercise. It took myself and my two daughters running around after them with paper towels to keep the mess under control.

To answer your question about them finding the lamp. At three weeks, I don't know how far they would go to find it. The box would ensure they could though.

Edited to say: The post above gives you the best idea yet.

 

[suzeqf]

mine are 5 weeks 4 weeks and 1 week old and they all still live in their brooders, I would just find a bigger box personally i wouldn't want the hassle of relocating the chicks and cleaning out the bathtub every night before and after bath time.

 

[paramedic07]

Quote:
i like that seeing i have 23 chicks about 4-5 weeks old in the house with another 28 eggs in the bator with 2 weeks to go.

 

[cafarmgirl]

The bathtub idea really isn't going to work well for you if the family has to use it too. That's going to be a lot of scraping of poo off every night! And even with a textured bottom I'm not thinking it's going to be very good for their legs.

For my very first chicks years ago I simply cut the ends off two large boxes and taped them together, this was for 8 chicks. Piece of netting over the top. Way easier then cleaning out the bath every night and should be fine until they are ready to go out. Could even add a third box if you want it really roomy enough to last 'til May.

 

[Rooneytune]

I am using a really big rubbermaid container (it used to have 2 large sleeping bags and an air mattress stored in it), I used some plastic pieces from an air filter kit I had left over. I was able to add some roosts with my mad glue gun skills and the handle from and old swiffer. I have eight 3 week old girls in there and they seem to be just as happy as if they had good sense. It may get a little tight before we get their outside area all set up, especially since it NEVER STOPS RAINING in the Pacific NW!