Plastic half closed brooders no no.

[crazyhen]

I learned the hard way that you do not put chicks in a mostly closed top brooder made of plastic with pine chips inside. I noticed my first set of chicks would shake their heads after the pine chicks were added but did not put two and two together. In my defense I was just starting out and did not know better. My first hens still have that head twitch. Although they are laying now.
I got a new batch of chicks from Speckled hen. They are lively and I did not notice any head twitching until I added the chips to the brooder. It registered this time. I put my head down at their level and it made my eyes water. The pine chips were too strong in the partially closed brooder. I quickly removed most of them and the next day transferred the chicks to a better arrangement. One week later there is no head twitching. I got it in time. Please be aware that pine is quite volital at the temps we keep a brooder for two week old chicks. I hope this helps someone else.
I have bought some aspen chips with no oils and will watch to see if my newest batch have any problems with them. Jean

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

Glad you were able to figure out what was going on. I don't put a lid on my brooder because I had read on BYC that it is very important that there be good air circulation.

Good Luck with your chicks.

 

[JessaLynn]

Thanks for the tip! I use netting over top my brooder but never thought about this.Never know later down the road, I could have made the same mistake!