Raising Baby Chicks- Brooder Supplies

[VictorHernandez]

I am ordering 4 Jersey Giant Hens online from California Hatchery. I have already built the chicken coop, and I just need to finish the door. I have a 10 gallon aquarium tank I can use to raise them. I have some questions though.
How long should I keep them in the brooder for?
Will this heat lamp do? How would I adjust the specific temperature? To turn it down 5 degrees each week? Starting at 90 degrees.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000FTEQCY/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1&qid=1345594943&sr=8-1
Will this bulb work? It says it's 150 watts and it doesn't produce light, just infared heat for reptiles.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002AQCQO/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1&qid=1345595343&sr=8-3
Can this aquarium cover work also?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0002APJ6I/ref=aw_d_detail?pd=1&qid=1345595528&sr=8-8
Also, do you think it's better to have 4 Jersey Giants, 4 Rhode Island Reds, or 2 Jersey Giants and 2 Rhode Island Reds?
Thanks.

 

[Judy]

I wouldn't keep them in there for more than a week or so. It's too small to give them room to get away from the heat, or to run around. It's also a little small to be sure fresh air exchanges. You could always look for a large cardboard box -- I duct taped two together and covered it with bird netting from Home Depot, cost around $7. Usually heat is adjusted by raising the heat lamp. A reptile light is fine if the temp is OK -- be sure you set it up and check the temp before you put chicks in, whatever you use. If you live in the US you can probably put them outside by 2 or 3 weeks. I have never been able to keep a brooder as warm as that 95 and 5 a week plan; they are simply too hot, and run away from the light to the cool end. If they will be in the house they may not need anything more than a 100W bulb and a hardware store clamp on light -- double secured, and with a ceramic bulb socket, not plastic.

 

[VictorHernandez]

If I use a 100w bulb and a reflector, all I need to do is start lower and raise it?

 

[cafarmgirl]

I honestly would not keep them in the aquarium at all. It's only a 10 gallon size tank, by the time you put in their feeder and waterer you are going to have some very cramped chicks. Even as very young chicks they need room to run around and exercise. Your going to have to move them out of there within a week at the most so might as well save yourself the trouble and start with something more appropriately sized. I've always used big cardboard boxes like flockwatcher said. Easy to find and easy to expand with another box too if necessary. I'd also be very cautious of adding a heat source to such a small space as the aquarium, they could overheat very easily.

 

[CAjerseychick]

If I use a 100w bulb and a reflector, all I need to do is start lower and raise it?

Yup. My 15 jersey giants did fine under a 125 watt bulb, and also I would reccommend a big cardboard box (Costco, Sams Club, or Walmart will give you one for free....) for brooding....