Wait... how old do they stay?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[AccidentalFarm]

If you have nothing bigger- you could separate the chicks into 2 or 3 sets and that way you could use smaller containers. I imagine they could even share a heat lamp if you were to place the containers next to each other and shine it into both.

 

[hypnojessi]

Do you have an extra bathtub?

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
Chicks are supposed to start at 90-95° at week 1 and lower the temp each week by 5° so they are at 70-75° at 5 weeks of age. They need to be feathered out before they are outdoors 24/7.

We had 19 birds in a kiddie swimming pool until they were 6 1/2 weeks old. We put a 4' chicken wire fence around it to keep them from flying out. The brooder lamp hung from a hook over one side of the pool, so it isn't in any of the pictures. Here is where I gave details w/pics..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=630

In the picture of Ellen and Betty waiting to go outside. That is what a fully feathered chick looks like.

Like everyone has already mentioned. The brooder doesn't have to be fancy. Look around your place.

Do you have some straw bales that could be used to make a larger brooder or the existing one a bit larger?

Do you have spare wood panels or pallets that could be nailed together?

If you were to use large appliance cardboard box, straw bales, or wood, you would hang the lamp over the brooder area, not attach to the brooder.

Here is your chance to be creative. Let us know what you come up with.

 

[chickenmomva]

My husband is the plumbing supply business we have a really big box ........like refridge size cut down so you can reach in to get them and wire mesh on top to prevent flying out and the lamp clipped on a chair next to the box.....works great and we put paper down then the bedding it has worked really well it is in the dining room it is a high traffic area so the dust and dirt dont effect anything there................the chicks are 2 weeks old and growing up

 

[Chickenuser]

I do not have an extra bathtub. But I can seperate them. I think that would work.
I have some wood I could put together to make a small home on the side...

We will see.
I will ask around for a BIG box.

 

[mudhen]

Chickenuser, here is a site that may give you some advice and pictures of things to have on hand to get started.

http://www.mullerslanefarm.com/chicks.html

You may want to check with your 4H group leader for help as well.

Have you planned how to care for them as they get bigger? Nineteen chicks will outgrow boxes and containers in a short time, as you have learned!

 

[AccidentalFarm]

Quote:
This is important- what are your plans for these birds? Are they meat birds? Layers? Are you planning to keep them indefinitely or just for the duration of the 4H project? If they are meat birds, do you have someone to butcher them? If you plan to keep them for eggs, 19 birds is a lot to house. You will need to start now on building a coop and run for them, as well as a proper feeder and waterer (which can be easily built using 5 gallon buckets). You can get these free from fast food restaurants just for the asking. Just make sure they were for foodstuffs and not chemicals or cleaners. You can also start looking for wood and other supplies you will need for the coop- many people use pallets that can be obtained free from many places. Plastic crates and storage boxes can be used for nestboxes, although this won't be necessary for a few months.


If you do not plan to keep the birds after your 4H project is complete, may I suggest that you start now trying to find a home for your birds to go to when you are done?

 

[mudhen]

I agree with AccidentalFarm!

Here's another great source of information for you, chickenuser, the "4H Poultry Manual - Unit One"

http://www.msstate.edu/dept/poultry/pub255.htm

You may already have it, but it does include information about how much space the chickens will need so you can plan ahead.
I can understand your father's concern about using heat lamp and cardboard boxes, but a regular lamp may provice enough heat for your chicks.
Here is my current set up for my week old chicks. There are sixteen, split into two boxes.

 

[Chickenuser]

They will be layer hens.
Actually, I now have 18, one died from being trampled last night.
I have built an 8x8 coop for when they are old enough, but I don't know what they will look like when they are supposed to get introduced to the coop. Plus, right now it is way too cold for them outside. (It frosted last night)
We will see.

 

[chickenranchwife]

Can you put a heat lamp in the coop? Where do you live? The nights are starting to warm up slowly but if there's a heat lamp in the coop that will help them stay warm. Good luck Chickenuser!