Too big for brooder?

[nekomi]

I'm having the same issue! I have 12 3-week-old chicks in a similar sized brooder, and I'm wondering when they'll be ready to go outside... they aren't picking on each other at all, and seem to share food and water nicely, but I know it's getting cramped. Temps are still a little too cold for me to feel good letting them go outdoors, even though the coop is almost ready for them.

If I have to, I'll move half the chicks to my spare brooder to give them all more space... I'd really hate to do that, though, because I don't want them to fight later.

 

[ladeefire]

Quote:
That was my thoughts too. We might have to separate my friends chicks and my chicks (although I haven't decided who was going and who was staying at this point) maybe that will give them more room. I still dont see how even 10 chicks are going to last in my brooder if they keep getting larger!

 

[ChcknLady]

Everything I have read says to plan 1 sq foot of space for a chick after 2 weeks. I have 7 in a huge rubbermaid brooder and they are doing fab! I have an extra large dog crate that would work wonders too but will they fit through the slats? I wonder if they would peck heavy plastic sheeting?

 

[packmomma]

Glad you are all chatting on this topic. The box I have isnt that big either..I'm guessing it will only work for 2 weeks or so. I do have an advantage as that I have other totes that I can easily move half of them to if I need to. I have finished the intermediate stage box in my shed. This is just a little over 3 feet by almost 5 feet and 30 inches tall. It has a lid to help keep the hot air in. I am going to place a heat lamp in there and on our coldest night go out routinely and see what the temp is in there. Then decide if I move them out or separate them. I can put in two heat lamps if I need to. The rest of the coop isnt done but I am making sure that part of it is. Its almost done...couple more days. Wish it would quit raining so I can work on the coop too.

 

[jonesgirl]

We have ours now in an old cabinet, that doesn't have the counter on it. THey go outside every day, in their chicky enclosure that we built.. (a doghouse... If you have a local thrift store, you can usually pick up an old hutch or find something you can stick the little peepers in!

 

[bethandjoeync]

Quote:
i want to get something pretty thick, so if they get the notion to peck at it to test it out then it won't rib and tear. I don't need them digesting it at all. so probably so kind of heavy outdoor plastic. and also when they scratch at the bedding I don't want it to rib from their nails. I may look for some today because we have to get feed and wood shavings, if I find any that looks like it will work then I will report back with it. and once we get the kennel set up I will take a picture for others that might want to do the same

 

[Jen4]

We have 32 7-8 day old chicks... we moved them into a bigger container, 2 nights ago. Its 2 extra large boxes taped together and works great for now... its 25x60 inches

 

[MamaJohnson]

Quote:
i want to get something pretty thick, so if they get the notion to peck at it to test it out then it won't rib and tear. I don't need them digesting it at all. so probably so kind of heavy outdoor plastic. and also when they scratch at the bedding I don't want it to rib from their nails. I may look for some today because we have to get feed and wood shavings, if I find any that looks like it will work then I will report back with it. and once we get the kennel set up I will take a picture for others that might want to do the same

My chicks are in a large dog kennel, and I just used scrap lumber (bought "left over" peices for pennies at the local home improvement store) and surrounded the kennel on the outsides with it. Most of the peices are supported with easily removable supports (note the weight on the one wall). The wood keeps the heat on the floor nicely, and I don't worry about the chicks destroying it at all (they actually frequently peck at it... entertaining maybe?).

 

[packmomma]

I used to breed dogs but threw my whelping box away last summer..so asked my sister for hers. This is a 4X4 box with a sliding door for momma to get out. This box already has partial sides put on so mom doesnt lay on puppies. This will make an excellent perch for them to sleep on and no worries of crowding because it goes all the way around the box. When I get it set up I will send a picture. My box was wooden, hers is a weird material..sort of a plastic,cardboard looking thing but made to last years(so the company says). I will just use that for my babies now that they are getting bigger. That should last until I can move them outside. If this stinkin snow would just go away and stay away I would be a lot happier!

 

[FlashPointFarm]

Here's what I did to help you brainstorm.

First, I disinfected the garage floor, I have an agricultural disinfectant that gets bacteria, viruses, fungus...etc.

I had a wire dog crate, took it apart. I stood the panels on end and wired them together. Put a couple of inches of sawdust down. Wired cardboard around the outside edges. They have lots of room now.