If i do not have a brooder.

[Krodsorin]

If i do not have a brooder, can I improvise a brooder with a card board box with sawdust on the floor and a lamp (not a heat lamp) inside it, and this box will be inside.
will this work?

 

[Fancie]

as long as you can get the temp in the box to 90 degrees... sure.

 

[Krodsorin]

90 degrees fahrenheit?

 

[Fancie]

sorry you are from across the pond... umm 32 cel.

 

[annek]

yes week 1 90-95 F
week 2 85-90 F
week 3 80-85 F

I don't know how sawdust will be. I think I would just use paper towels or puppy pads. They may eat the sawdust. Enough of a problem with pine chips.

Make sure to put rocks/marbles in the water so they can't drown or get wet. Make box large enough that they can get away from the heat.

Good luck!

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I always used cardboard boxes until my son built me a big brooder. They are easy to keep clean when they get dirty just toss it out and get another larger one. Sawdust on the floor isn't a good idea. They will peck at it and eat it. Newborns should be on papertowels or like I use for the first days old pillow cases. I sprinkle the feed around and they get the idea of what to eat. I also use a 100 watt bulb It gives off plenty of heat when its inside the house. I usually clamp the light onto the side of the box, but I do have some my son attached to strips of wood You can hang the light that way and as they grow you can adjust the height of the light by turning the wood lenghwise and attaching it to the side of the box.
Sawdust I have three big bags someone gave me but I am afraid to use it as it came from plywood. Plywood has glue in it and I am afraid it might harm the chickens.

 

[Mahonri]

I've always used a big cardboard box with a heat lamp and paper towels. All three times I've had chicks it's worked like a charm... and a thermometer is a must. Use the guide already posted for temps and ages.

 

[ChickieNikki]

Cute siggy! And congrats on your birdies

I have 2 cardboard boxes and 2 rubbermaid tubs. They both work fine. For now, the sides can be low, but in 2 weeks, you will need sides higher than 2 feet or a screen or other lid, or they will flutter to the top and perch on the side and escape! One of mine flew from one into the other until I covered them.

Enjoy them--they are so entertaining! And welcome to BYC!

 

[Mary Of Exeter]

I've tried boxes and lamps as well, and it worked

I would cover most of the opening of the box with a towel or light blanket to help keep in the heat. We always used shavings as bedding.