How long does a cardboard brooder box last?

[augustmomx2]

I have seen many cardboard brooders on here. I am going to have one ready to go for back-up, when I get my new fuzzybutts

My question is: how long do they last? Do you line them with something? I just wanted to check out some different experiences and see if I should even bother

with the cardboard brooder. TIA

 

[mamaKate]

I lined mine with newspaper for my first chicks. It was kind of small so I only used it for about a week, then switched to a covered ferret cage. I used a large plastic tote for the next set of chicks and liked it way better. If the box is big enough and you keep it dry, it should last till they don't need heat anymore.

 

[Matt A NC]

If the box is large enough it can last for 6 or so weeks. Basically until the chicks are ready to go out.

I do line the bottom with plastic, a trash bag. That keeps them from getting it wet if they dump the waterer, which they will once they get old enough. On top of the plastic is newspaper and shelf liner for the first week. At that point I switch them to shavings, but still have plastics under that too.

Matt

 

[Bullwinkle]

Quote:
The boxes can last a long time... the issue I have had to watch out for is making sure the boxes are deep enough to keep the chicks in. Some of the breeds, such as the leghorns I have now, develop their wing feathers quicker. Mine can already reach the top of the box I have them in (and hopped out at 8 days old!). The box is about 18 inches deep. Tomorrow I'm going to put some fencing over the top to keep them from hopping out. The chicks grow fast!

 

[crosbygroup]

I used a 2' x 2' cardboard box with several layers of newspaper on the bottom. I put some paper towels on top of the newspaper. For the first few days I'd put fresh paper towels on any poop spots. Then I'd change the top layer of newspaper and add more towels and start over every couple of days. After the first week I went to mostly newspaper and by the end of the second week I went to just newspaper. I just layered a sheet or two of paper on top in the morning before I fed them and again when I got home from work and usually just before bed, every 3 days or so I'd take all the paper out and start over. Around 3 weeks I moved up to a bigger box 2' x 4' and kept of with the same system until we got the coop finished at 9 weeks.

This system worked for me - I actually missed them when the moved out.

 

[augustmomx2]

Thanks for the info everyone! I am getting some meaties along with some standards & banties. I don't want to have any "smothering" issues with the various sizes and its good to know the cardboard should last until they are outside. My parents ordered several new light fixtures, and you know how companies completely go overboard on the packaging

It benefited me cuz now I have several very large boxes to use