Questions before chicks arrive

[Psyclops]

Hello everyone,
My first batch of chicks arrive in a few short weeks and I have very little clue as to what I am doing. Truth be told I am a tad nervous about the whole endeavor but I'm sure I will do okay. I have trolled the boards here and have tried to soak up as much info as I can. Because I don't know what I don't know and because building something is way out of my bailiwick. I was one of those blokes born with 5 thumbs on each finger so I tend to buy what I need rather than try to build it.
All that being said I am using a cardboard box for brooding this first batch of 5 chicks. I have a chicken coop heater, feeder, and water bottle and I will line the bottom of the box with some 20mil polyplastic that I have on hand, over that I will be using hemp. The box is 30" L x 21" W x 22" T.

My first question is, will this be tall enough to prevent them from jumping out for a few weeks will I install the prefab coop?
I will post pics of what I have going on as soon as I have something presentable but if there is anything I will need for the brooder that I haven't mentioned please let me know.
Cheers

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

The box is 22" high? That will keep them in for about two weeks. You can put some kind of wire lid on to keep them from jumping out but by four weeks I am generally ready to kick the little dust balls out. Please do post pictures when you have it set up!

 

[SandyRiverChick]

it sounds like you're brooding inside your house. The box is therefore going to last longer but still not very long. You should really have something over the top, like suggested already, a section of wire, like hardware cloth. You'll be surprised how quickly they'll find a way to jump out. Like jump to top of waterer and then top edge of box, done. A heatlamp over a cardboard box is something I hope you're keeping a really close eye on as well as not following the chick raising info. that tells you to go above *95. I start at *85 but I'm saying *95 to lessen the shock effect if you were planning on following advice to go *100-*95. It's a bummer that this "guideline" is spread far and wide when the high heat only causes problems, it's truly not beneficial especially when you're in the ambient temps of your home. So there is all that. Just give chicks food, dip beaks in water and continue to make sure they always have fresh water, some nutri drench would be great when you first get them, and you're going to do fine. Welcome to this place! Keep doing lot's of reading and looking at pictures of brooding and coops. I have several favorite threads but this one is my go to as a fresher whenever I start a new batch of chicks. Good luck!!
http://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

 

[Tonyroo]

Don't use plastic sheeting in the brooder, to easy for the chick to eat it. They can tear the plastic with there baby claws and beak. Avoid potential problems when adding things in the brooder. Think ahead.

 

[rosemarythyme]

My first question is, will this be tall enough to prevent them from jumping out for a few weeks will I install the prefab coop?

As others above noted, you will need a cover. I've had chicks under 2 weeks old sitting on top of their 23" tall brooder (outdoors, so it's fine). A piece of hardware cloth or window screen taped down to a cardboard frame will work well.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Nutri Drench is a great suggestion! Have some on hand just in case-i have saved several chicks with it. I like to mix a little crumble with that and some egg yolk and dip their beak in if they're acting off. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

 

[Psyclops]

Thanks for the quality advice, I appreciate it.
I didn't line the bottom with the plastic sheeting but I was thinking ahead I just don't know what I don't know, why I asked for advice from those that do in the first place.
I am running a test on the brooder to insure proper heat and so far so good. Temps under the heat are at 93 degrees.
I was initially planning on brooding outside in their coop but after much reading the sense I get is that for the first few weeks the chicks can be rather fragile, so I changed my mind so for the first few weeks they will be in my basement. Temps are pretty steady at 65ish during the day and 60ish at night.
I did pick up a few vitamins for when the chicks arrive but I will also visit TSC to get some Nutri Drench as well and a cover will be no problem.
Any thing you see that you don't like don't hesitate to call me out. You will have my thanks.
Cheers

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I usually use a heat lamp in my garage so I don't have any other advice except to say that there will be lots of dust so be prepared for that if you're doing it in the house.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

Do you have a wire cage they can tale field trips in outside? I will just put them out in the grass for an hour or so once they have some feathers and then gradually increase the time. Assuming the weather cooperates of course.

 

[Psyclops]

I hope to have there coop assembled and rub built by that time so I should have no problem taking them out for trips.