First Chicks
We are scheduled to pick up our first batch of day old chicks on May 7, 2021. They are heritage birds from the University of Alberta Heritage Chicken Program.
We have our chicken coop pretty much ready, but the baby chicks will need a warm brooder for their first few weeks. I made a simple brooder from a Storage tote box. The box I used was from Home Depot, but any large tote will do. This box is large enough for about 12 chicks.
Getting Crafty
With a SawsAll, I cut out a big opening in the lid of the tote. It is important to leave enough lid around the edges to maintain stability and room to attach the hardware cloth.
I drilled holes around the edge of the lid to attach a piece of hardware cloth. I used Zip ties to attach the hardware cloth, but you could also use screws with washers.
Hardware cloth has half inch openings and is ideal for this sort of use. It is also handy around the bottom of a chicken tractor to keep out vermin…
Setting up the Brooder
The main function of the brooder box is to keep the chickens at the right temperature. We want them to start out at about 95 degrees farenheit (35 degrees celcius), and gradually reduce the temperature over the course of several weeks until they are ready to move to the chicken coop. The recommended drop is about 5 degrees F (3 degrees C) per week.
The chicks will need special chick starter feed and water in the brooder. We also need bedding to absorb the chicken poop. I have lined the box with Puppy pads, and will add fresh wood shavings as well.
Heat Source
It used to be standard practice to use a heat lamp to warm the baby chicks. However, because of the extreme fire hazard, most people have changed over to brooder plates. This is the one I bought from Amazon.ca https://www.amazon.ca/Titan-Incubators-Chick-Heating-Brooder/dp/B07YLQWBTK/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=chick+brooder+plate&qid=1619834703&sr=8-6 The brooder plate warms the chickens without getting hot…
To monitor the temperature, the best way is to watch the chicks. If they are all huddled under the brooder plate, they are likely cold. If they are all spread as far away from the heat source, they are too hot. To reduce the heat, raise the brooder plate higher above the chicks. I also keep a thermometer in the brooder box to double check.
Moving on to bigger digs
After a few weeks, this brooder box will become too small for the birds. When they are getting too big, I will move them to a play pen set up. Then, by about 8 weeks of age, they will be fully feathered and ready for the chicken coop outside.
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