What to do. Can Rubbermade help?

[Pharm Girl]

OK, I have chicks hatching under a broody. Hope to have 4 chicks and their Mama Clucker. I would like to move the little family from the inside/top of the coop down into the bottom run area of the coop after about a week. They will have more room and access to the outside run in nicer weather. I don't think baby chicks could navigate the steep ramp for a while. The problem is, there are no nesting boxes on the bottom. The bottom is 4' by 3', with a plywood floor and shavings on top. I have the hardware cloth sides covered with plastic to protect the bottom from the constant rain we get in the Pac NW. It's been about 40-50 degrees and rainy with no end in sight. The bottom will have 3 covered sides and one hardware clothed side.

My question is: Could I convert a medium sized rubbermade storage container into a temporary nesting box for the hen and her chicks? I was thinking I could put holes in the lid for some ventilation and cut a hole in the bottom front just big enough for the Mama bird to get through. I'd make a nice nest in there for them and there will be a heat lamp outside of the container, but I don't want heat on or in the container due to fire concerns. I'm assuming the mother hen can keep them warm enough on the nest.

What do you think? Will they all freeze or do you think a rubbermade home will be OK?

 

[Suechick]

Hi Pharm Girl,
Sounds like a nice set up to me! I'm trying to figure something out for my 2 broodys and their chicks. I may have to steal your idea.

 

[minihorse927]

Sounds like a grand idea to me!!! I do not see anything wrong with that idea. As long as momma and babies can get to food and water. Momma can keep the babies plenty warm enough. Just keep their nesting box dry with all that rain!

 

[kathyinmo]

Sounds like a great idea! Really though, you will not need a heat lamp. The mama hen will keep the babies plenty warm.

Good luck!

 

[Pharm Girl]

Thanks for all the encouragement. Now I have to figure out how to cut holes in a rubbermade container. I have a jig saw. Can't wait to see if any littles made it out of their eggs last night. Everything will stay quite dry for them, I just want them warm and comfy!

 

[CelticOaksFarm]

a sharp knife will go through the side pretty easily. I used an old steak knife recently to make a hole in the fron of one for the duck to have shelter and a place for their food outside out of the rain for them.

 

[Bi0s]

razor knife any sharp knife will cut one of them they not hard at all to cut.. sounds like you got a real nice set up for them good luck keep us posted

 

[wsdareme]

Please post pictures of it when it's done!

 

[WhySayWhat]

I bought a rotary tool at Harbor Freight for $6. That little tool has cut through EVERYTHING for me! It takes a while since it doesn't have much power, but I've used it to cut 1x2's to make the hardware cloth "lid" for my Rubbermaid brooder, the hardware cloth(!), plastic soda bottles (making cheap planters out of recycled goods), OSB (I had to make a small notch where it met the support beams for my deck, where the coop is being built), Drywall screws (that were way too long)... It's my newest "go to" tool!

 

[Pharm Girl]

I'll move them in about a week. I think they will be OK in the top part for a few days. I'll take some pics soon. Went out this morning to take a look and 3 of the 4 were out of their shells, one was almost out, and sadly, one was dead in the corner of the nest. Not sure if it got stuck there or if it got kicked out for some reason, but it was big and gorgeous. I'm really sad I couldn't save it. It was already cold by the time I found it. So far the other three look good and I'm trying to leave them all alone to stay warm under Mama and gather the strength they will need over the next few days. If she gives me a look at them, I'll try to get a picture.