X-Pen for Brooder?

[Menmyrc]

My almost 2-week old chicks are outgrowing their brooder. I have a fairly large dog x-pen that I'm not using. What do you think about using this as a brooder? I was thinking of using cardboard on the sides a foot up as a draft shield, but leaving the upper 2 feet uncovered (the panels are 3 feet high). Probably will put something down to protect the floor as well. I would include a couple heat lights, a couple waterers and multiple feeders. This is for 40 chicks. How high can young chicks fly? Will I need to cover the top with netting? Will they be able to fit between the bars (1" spaces)? Has anyone used an x-pen before?

Thanks

 

[Tala]

Sounds like a good idea to me.

Yes they will fit between the spaces though. I had some in a medium sized wire dog crate with approx 1" holes in the bars, and they squeezed through them, especially if they wanted to get away from your hand.

 

[prncssprplfrog]

Is that one of the octagon shaped dog pens? If so, I used one as a temporary pen for my flock until the coop was built. Now granted my guys and galls were a bit older than yours, so they didn't need heat or as much protection.

I attached a small dog crate to the side, covered the top with plastic fencing (not ideal) & did the same on the side where there was a gap from the crate.

I think as long as you can keep them out of the elements, like in a garage until they are old enough to be without heat- it should be fine.


Any Yes----I've found that most chicks can fly pretty well early on- so covering would be wise. I don't know about the spacing & fitting through, but if you zip-tie smaller hole mesh around it- you should be fine. I'd hate for a chick to get stuck in the spaces.