Wondering how tall my brooder sides should be.

[Ptrow86]

Hi all,
I'm getting my chics in next weekend and have been thinking about a brooder. I found a 4'x4' pool that seems big enough but the sides are only 12". I will have a screen on top but I am not sure if it's too short for other reasons. Oh, I have 15 chics coming. Mixed breeds but my biggest are austalorps. Any advice would be appreciated. I'm brand new to baby chics.
Thanks,
Matt

 

[SueT]

They will fly out of that every time you lift the screen. Maybe you could improvise cardboard sides wrapped around it as they grow....

 

[TattooedChicks]

For my bantams, 18 inches only worked for about two weeks before I had to net over the top, but after that it didn't seem to matter much.

 

[Folly's place]

I wouldn't use that pool, both because it's way too short, and because you will be in the middle of it way too often! As you raise the lid, chicks will fly out, and you will have a mess. At least 20" tall sides, with hardware cloth as a lid, and long and narrow will be easier to manage, IMO. I use an old 100 gal. stock tank, but a free possibility would be a crate that a refrigerator or washer came in; check appliance stores, for example. Mary

 

[~KH~]

I use washer/dryer or refrig boxes on their sides. And even at that, I have a couple (2 weeks old tomorrow) that have attempted to fly up to the top.

 

[azygous]

Do you have a coop? A covered run? Why not just brood outside? You don't have to brood in a container. A safe pen in coop or run if you have adult chickens works remarkably well, has lots of room, and integrates the chicks from day one.

If that's not practical for you, you can get ideas on brooders using appliance boxes and a plant-grow window from my article on brooding outdoors linked below.

 

[Ptrow86]

Do you have a coop? A covered run? Why not just brood outside? You don't have to brood in a container. A safe pen in coop or run if you have adult chickens works remarkably well, has lots of room, and integrates the chicks from day one.

If that's not practical for you, you can get ideas on brooders using appliance boxes and a plant-grow window from my article on brooding outdoors linked below.

I do have a chicken tractor but it only has one hen at the moment. I'm not sure where she came from but she loves us so we got the idea to get more. I would love to brood them outside but I'm concerned about the temps. It's starting to cool of In nj

 

[Ptrow86]

I wouldn't use that pool, both because it's way too short, and because you will be in the middle of it way too often! As you raise the lid, chicks will fly out, and you will have a mess. At least 20" tall sides, with hardware cloth as a lid, and long and narrow will be easier to manage, IMO. I use an old 100 gal. stock tank, but a free possibility would be a crate that a refrigerator or washer came in; check appliance stores, for example. Mary

That is a great idea. I never thought of that. I wonder if lowes will let one go

 

[Ptrow86]

I use washer/dryer or refrig boxes on their sides. And even at that, I have a couple (2 weeks old tomorrow) that have attempted to fly up to the top.

I have no problem covering the top. The idea of using refrigerator boxes is smart. Will they hold 15 chics until they are ready for the coop?

 

[Ptrow86]

I wouldn't use that pool, both because it's way too short, and because you will be in the middle of it way too often! As you raise the lid, chicks will fly out, and you will have a mess. At least 20" tall sides, with hardware cloth as a lid, and long and narrow will be easier to manage, IMO. I use an old 100 gal. stock tank, but a free possibility would be a crate that a refrigerator or washer came in; check appliance stores, for example. Mary

Thank you, that is an awesome idea. I hope my retailers will be willing to let one go. Even if I have to pay for it.