What size brooder / Would glass tank work

[Judy]

Quote:
Per chick. Minimum. If you want them to be happier, they need at least double or triple that.

I agree, larger than this. A refrigerator box or something similar might be your best option. It will also be easier to keep clean. You've had some excellent ideas on here.

You might want to check out the sticky at the top of the Raising Baby Chicks forum, where there is an excellent writeup on causes of young chick deaths. Gives a good overview of the pitfalls to avoid.

 

[linben]

I was amazed how fast they grow when I first got my chicks. Before long you will realize it is a bit of a mess and you keep needing something bigger. I started with rubbermaid tote and eventually moved to a cage I got off Craigslist that was 3x3. They were ready to go into the coop long before I had it ready.

I agree that no one was being condescending.

 

[tamberlin]

Right now I have 5 sebright chicks in a 40 gal. aquarium with an opening in the top. Thermometer reads 90F. So far they are doing well. Due to their smaller size, I think they can stay in there longer that the first batch of 6 chicks - regular size, not bantam. The older chicks outgrew the aquarium within a week and we ended up getting (ok, don't laugh please) a plastic compost bin at Home Depot. It's large and deep and has ventilation holes in the sides. We suspended a 100W heat light just inside the lid (which is a window screen) and I've placed branches at various levels for perches. The now 4 week old chicks in there are very active, very LOUD and as far as I can tell, happy. They are approx. 5-6 times the size they were as day-olds and are now almost completely feathered out. We also suspended one of those "babycake" thingies from the feed store and they just love it.
The composter is called an "Eco composter". Cost was $47. It will be used as a composter when the chicks grow up.

Deb

 

[Chickeninthemeadow]

Quote:
Actually, I LOVE that idea. I need to see if my local Lowe's has one!

I'll need somewhere to compost the shavings when I clean the coop anyway!