Question on ventilation

[NorthwoodsChick]

Chicks coming in a week and my confidence is waning. I added a 2x3 extension to a 2x3 dog crate. The extention has solid walls and a lift off top covering about 2 ft, effectively creating a box. Will this be enough ventilation for 12 standard chicks?
The ambient temperature is 66 F in the open crate and 67 in the partially enclosed area; a heat plate warms it to 70F and 80 directly under the plates when raised to 3inch height, but not contacting the plates. Will this be sufficient? I have seen some make fringed drapes to hold in more, so I tried it (pic 3), but then I got concerned about ventilation, and around n round I go.
Please, Take a look at the pics and give your best advice on any needed changes. The brooder is in my heated basement, sitting on foam insulation boards.
Thanks BYC peeps!!

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Anyone there?

 

[junior67]

Chicks coming in a week and my confidence is waning. I added a 2x3 extension to a 2x3 dog crate. The extention has solid walls and a lift off top covering about 2 ft, effectively creating a box. Will this be enough ventilation for 12 standard chicks?
The ambient temperature is 66 F in the open crate and 67 in the partially enclosed area; a heat plate warms it to 70F and 80 directly under the plates when raised to 3inch height, but not contacting the plates. Will this be sufficient? I have seen some make fringed drapes to hold in more, so I tried it (pic 3), but then I got concerned about ventilation, and around n round I go.
Please, Take a look at the pics and give your best advice on any needed changes. The brooder is in my heated basement, sitting on foam insulation boards.
Thanks BYC peeps!!

I am not an expert but it looks great to me. I had mine in a room with my heat set at 65 last year. I use a MHP (close to a heat plate) and they do great. That doesn't need to be as hot as a heat lamp. with the top open on the box and the whole crate open it should work out great! Good job!

 

[The chicken nurd]

Personality I think the ventilation looks fine I would just make sure they’ll be warm enough 90-95 I’d recommend for day old Chicks

 

[Lor]

With the front of the box opened into the dog crate there is plenty of ventilation.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Ventilation looks good to me, and it's a good size space for 12. I would cover the gaps at the edge of the top between the extension and the crate, where you have a gate propped up on top, so no chick can fly up and somehow get caught in that space. Just like 2 strips of cardboard duct taped to the gate would work fine. Unlikely that something would go wrong at that spot, but freak accidents happen!

 

[U_Stormcrow]

For a couple weeks, those are fine for new chicks. Some might even claim roomy.

In the first day(s), you might consider a rolled up towel or something to keep the chicks from wandering too far from the heat source, but I suspect you will have a dozen happy birds with that set up.

 

[junior67]

Personality I think the ventilation looks fine I would just make sure they’ll be warm enough 90-95 I’d recommend for day old Chicks

a heat plate works different than the light so the temps aren't the same.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Ventilation looks good to me, and it's a good size space for 12. I would cover the gaps at the edge of the top between the extension and the crate, where you have a gate propped up on top, so no chick can fly up and somehow get caught in that space. Just like 2 strips of cardboard duct taped to the gate would work fine. Unlikely that something would go wrong at that spot, but freak accidents happen!

Noted. I wondered about that space too. Thx.