Modify tub brooder- good or bad idea?

[RustyHen]

I have been reading that the tub brooders are too hot for the chicks and was wondering if I cut out one-half of one side of tub and covered it with 1/4" screen would that be too cool or drafty for them. they would get a better view of us also instead of trying to see over the top all the time- less hunted maybe.

What is your sugestions?
They are one week old today

 

[GiddyMoon]

They are only too hot if you have too much heat going into the tub. You could cut holes on one end and cover it with wire, just like the top lid..but if it is too hot, pull back the bulb.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Here's how I did mine:

It works very well

 

[A.T. Hagan]

I did something similar.

This time of year during the day I turn the light off completely. Turn it back on when the sun goes behind the trees.

 

[RustyHen]

Thank you both,
My top lid is only screen, they are cochin bantam chicks 1 buff, 2 red, they stay close the heat, the other 4 are dark color and they stay far away from the heat. Howfunky, I like your sugestion, I think I will try it this weekend.
Giddymoon, I was trying to say, I wanted to give them more air circulation, I have raised their heat light and adjusted the temp for them. I have in the past had a brood of Favorell chicks that did not feather well for me and I was trying to prevent this.
A.T., looks good so neat, and tidy. how old are your chicks?

 

[GiddyMoon]

Quote:
The more and more I read..the more, MORE air circulation makes healthier birds..

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I have mostly cochins in my brooder too, and I simply

them

 

[ranit]

Mine is open or with just a screen on the gamebirds which can fly out at an early age. They are in the garage and the heat lamp hangs with an s-hook on a chain nailed to the ceiling beam making it very easy to adjust up or down as needed. Since I'm not at home during the day to adjust them, as the days start warming up I set them on a timer to turn off when the garage warms up during the day.

I do have two that are actually set up on thermostats that are the greatest. Wish I could afford to go out and buy enough of them to set them all up that way.

 

[gryeyes]

Or you could get and use a Brinsea EcoGlow in the bin and get rid of heat lamps altogether. Plus cut down on your electric bill. THe chicks take to it really well, too. THey get under it to warm up, like a momma hen, and come out when they're warm to eat, drink, scratch, run around, get the zoomies, etc. Very natural. The room in which your brooder is placed doesn't have to be kept very warm (around 50 degrees will do) nor will it GET warm from the EcoGlow. Just the space for the little chicks warms up.

 

[PepsNick]

The tubs I use are for chicks up to a week old, then they are moved into the one big brooder. They are clear and topless, so I think that's plenty of ventilation.

I also have a black one, but I use that for fluffing up chicks, and then they go into their actual brooder (tub). I guess the black would absorb even more heat.