My chicks stink beyond stink

[Lynn Manes]

We use vintage galvanized tubs as a brooder when we need something for just a few chicks. We use pine shavings and a 12" stone paver to elevate the waterer and food containers. We use a large galvanized horse trough if we are raising alot of chicks at once. Again we use pine shavings and elevate the feeders and waterers on the same pavers. As they grow in our large brooder, we add another paver on top of the first ones for the cleanliness of both the brooder and the chicks. We still need to replace the shavings every so often so it doesnt stink of poo in the brooders.

 

[CateK2652]

How do I ensure the drink and food is raised but not getting knocked over?

Hang them from above.

 

[Cazook]

nipple waterers are good for keeping the brooder dry (and no drowning risk)

 

[KGandE]

I've had chicks before so I'm baffled. Somehow they turned their indoor brooder into an inch thick of just....goo. poo and goop that stinks worse than my outdoor hens whose run has endired 5" rain in two days. I cleaned the little chick brooder and in less than a week it's worse,as stated, than the run
Maybe it's old food and spilled water too, addongpt the reel, I dunno but my other chicks didn't do this. And so now my chicks are covered with speckled good, too. So I cleaned the brooder but it all still reeks. I have never smelled such a vile stench. How can I clean them? It's cold ish where they are (60-70) so I don't want. Them catching cold from being clean but wet.and I can't clean out the brooder more than scraping the goop because I have nowhere else to put them or way to clean it since it's dumping rain out...no way to dry the brooder. Taking and any and all advice thank you! Their outdoor living comes in the mail in A week or so...phew!

I think they may be sick - I had an older hen who started to stink like this, along with her coop, I realized later that some kinds of serious illness can create a really awful stench.

Coccidiosis, vent gleet, and infectious coryza can all cause a bad smell.

Good luck.