Who knew a closet could work so well

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Do you have anything down under the shavings to protect the floor? That's what I would worry about.
I haven't used a closet, but I have a corner of the basement I use as a brooder.

No but it's tile, easy to clean.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

Were is the heater in the picture? They look like they are 1-2 weeks old? They need to have an area of the brooder thats 85 degrees based on their age. Nice setup! I would also worry about the floor, guessing your prepared for that risk though?

The heater isn't in the picture.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I suggest adding plastic to the walls. They are going to destroy it. The dander alone is going to be horrible. I brood mine outside because even in my garage the smell was unbelievable.

 

[Missys Chicken Ranch]

I suggest adding plastic to the walls. They are going to destroy it. The dander alone is going to be horrible. I brood mine outside because even in my garage the smell was unbelievable.

I don't have anything to put them in to do it outside. Next time that is what I will do. I had nothing I could put on the top of the tub to keep them from getting out, so I didn't know what else to do.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I suggest adding plastic to the walls. They are going to destroy it.

x2. Even a few little chicks can put out a lot of greasy dander over a pretty short period of time. Anticipate having to scrub that off the walls about 5-6' up in every direction.

I had nothing I could put on the top of the tub to keep them from getting out, so I didn't know what else to do.

Hardware cloth, chicken wire or bird netting duct taped to a frame made of cardboard scraps would be the easiest lid to make. I brooded my first batch in a spare bathtub so that's what we did to keep them in.

 

[cluckcluckhens]

Our first chicks we got ten. Three GLW, three SLW, and four Australorp chicks. First before the chicks arrived by mail we had someone bring us over a Australorp Rooster and a woman gave us a sex-link. This was the beginning soon after we moved here.

We set up a place in the spare bedroom. Heat was on in the room already because this big house is always cold. We put a box on a table and prepared this for them. Screen over the top of the box with a light. Pee You is right in this spare room that we never did use for anything back then. My cats would come in there with us just to watch the chicks. By July of that year they graduated into the run. A little run for the chicks in the big run so the others can see but, don't touch. Our sex-link decided to fly over into the little run to meet them. This is the beginning and we still have one senior right now. She is training the two chicks in the run. I think it is pretty cool she decided to walk around with our newest chicks. The smell in the house in this room was out of this world.

 

[Mamatomany123]

I don't have anything to put them in to do it outside. Next time that is what I will do. I had nothing I could put on the top of the tub to keep them from getting out, so I didn't know what else to do.

My first batch I brooded in the garage. We just used an xl dog crate. I understand not everyone has the option to brood outside. We just decided it was easier and made a section in the coop just for babies. If you really can't put them anywhere else then I would duct tape some trash bags on the wall. If not then you will have a workout ready for when they move outside.

 

[The-White-Elephant]

My little dare devils kept falling out of the tub we used as a brooder. We had an exercise pen around it so when they fell... or jumped they would fall between the tub and gate. They were in our garage and I would find them when I would go check on them. I was worried they would get hurt or get cold. After this happening a few times I decided to use the closet in our spare bedroom as their brooder until I move them out in a couple weeks. I think it actually works well and I don't have to worry about a heat lamp and if I needed to I could still use it. I have a small heater...not the kind that catches fire..and also have a baby gate up so I can leave the door open. I think I will do this going forward when I have chicks. Hopefully that wont be too often. Anyone else use a closet or room in the house?

That’s actually pretty smart! I have never thought of that before, great job! Also, like the other guys said, you probably should put maybe a tarp or some sort of covering on the carpet undermeath so it doesn’t get all stinky and poopy

 

[rosemarythyme]

That’s actually pretty smart! I have never thought of that before, great job! Also, like the other guys said, you probably should put maybe a tarp or some sort of covering on the carpet undermeath so it doesn’t get all stinky and poopy

It's tile underneath, so that's a positive.