How big a hole can chicks get through?

[ohnoicantfly]

Hi! I'm getting my brooder ready for some chicks I'm hatching. I'm using an old dog kennel, but the spaces between the bars are abut 1 1/4 inches. Newborn chicks could probably get through that, right? Should I line the bottom with cardboard or something? Also, will cardboard be a fire hazard? Thanks!

 

[AidKD]

They may be able to for the first week or so of their life. Cardboard is fine, but you'll have to put something down over it like sand or dirt because chicks can very easily slip around on it and mess up their legs. And no, it won't be a fire hazard.

 

[nuthatched]

They can, they can escape while you're gone, get under the dresser, in the closet and under the bed and poop everywhere.
ask me how know.

 

[AidKD]

They can, they can escape while you're gone, get under the dresser, in the closet and under the bed and poop everywhere.
ask me how know.

How do you know?

 

[nuthatched]

How do you know?

Take a guess. One even got outside which means it either went through the ajar cat door and fell off the porch or got downstairs and went out the other cat door.

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Most definetly can. I had one get out and get pecked to death!!! It was heart breaking.

I thought i had it covered..but they got through the bars and under the net...

They are a wk and half now and still can fit through them....


Current set up with the net...yesterday i pulled the net almost to the top bc (after the pic) we witnessed a cockerel try to fly up and out and ALMOST had it....

Ill remove it around 3wks i assume....

 

[ohnoicantfly]

Thanks for the responding everyone! I'm going to line the bottom. How high should I make the lining?

 

[Hedgeland Farms]

Currently...mine covers almost almost the entore heighth of the brooder....covering the second from top slates which is where the one almost got out yesterday...


Id start higher as long as its breathable fabric, or hardwire cloth. You can always adjust the fabric/net down

Eta... i also tuck the bottom of the net under the brooder cage and use landscape staples to secure it

 

[nuthatched]

Thanks for the responding everyone! I'm going to line the bottom. How high should I make the lining?

About 8-10 inches is what i did, but i was using books

 

[RLHille]

Hi! I'm getting my brooder ready for some chicks I'm hatching. I'm using an old dog kennel, but the spaces between the bars are abut 1 1/4 inches. Newborn chicks could probably get through that, right? Should I line the bottom with cardboard or something? Also, will cardboard be a fire hazard? Thanks!