{"id":3583,"date":"2021-02-09T10:05:00","date_gmt":"2021-02-09T16:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/?p=3583"},"modified":"2021-03-01T18:11:20","modified_gmt":"2021-03-02T00:11:20","slug":"setting-up-your-brooder-for-baby-chicks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chikchikchicken.com\/index.php\/2021\/02\/09\/setting-up-your-brooder-for-baby-chicks\/","title":{"rendered":"Setting up your Brooder for Baby Chicks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Your home from the farm store and it’s time to get busy setting up your brooder for baby chicks. If you don\u2019t have a broody hen<\/strong><\/a>, chicks need a brooder – a heated house of some sort. There are many options for a brooder and you probably have something in the garage or shed that will work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links. I may earn a commission on products purchased at no additional cost to you. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Download free printable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brooder Tips<\/a>Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n

What can you use for a brooder for baby chicks?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A brooder is temporary. The chicks only need to be in there for six to eight weeks. I\u2019ve seen aquariums, plastic tote bins\/tubs, dog crates, and kiddie pools used. A lid isn\u2019t necessary at first, but I would highly recommend some type of wire cover or mesh screen. This serves two purposes. It will keep the chicks from jumping out when they get a little bigger plus act as a barrier for the heat lamp if you choose to use one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Make sure to secure your heating solution! I\u2019ve read horror stories of the heat lamp falling and catching the bedding on fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We used an old guinea pig cage. Our daughter loves animals. We\u2019ve had mice, guinea pigs, cats, dogs, and fish. If she had her way, we would have sheep and horses too. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The old guinea pig cage was a perfect solution. We really lucked out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How big does the brooder for baby chicks need to be? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The brooder needs to be big enough for the chicks to stay in for six to eight weeks. It’s recommended to have six inches per chick for the first two weeks then 1 square foot per chick until they move to the coop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

My husband, Herb, purchased four chicks from our local feed store. If you didn\u2019t read my first blog on how this came about, you can read it here<\/strong>.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You want to keep the brooder somewhere away from other pets and where you can supervise young children. We placed ours on our dining room table and attached the heat lamp to the chandelier. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What temperature should I keep the brooder at?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The temperature in your brooder should be 95 degrees Fahrenheit for their first week of life. Place a thermometer in the brooder so you can monitor the temp. Place it close to the bottom where the chicks are running around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When chicks are cold, they will huddle together or pile on top of each other trying to stay warm. If this happens, the heat lamp may need to be placed closer to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When too hot, they will move away from it. Make sure they have a place to get away by placing the heat lamp on one side of the brooder. Chicks can die from overheating. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each week you will raise the heat lamp a few inches to decrease the temperature by 5 degrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are several options for a heat source. We\u2019ve used a heat lamp with a red bulb or you can also use a 100-watt bulb. As I said earlier, many people lose their entire flock due to heat lamps. Because of the fire risk, I\u2019ve read where people have used hot water bottles. However, a lot of people are moving towards the Eco-Glow Brooder<\/a>. It\u2019s a metal heat plate that provides ambient heat where chicks can get under when needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bedding in your brooder for baby chicks.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Setting<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

After a recommendation from the store clerk, we purchased bedding pellets. I didn\u2019t really like them. The babies would spill their water and it expanded creating quite a mess. They are supposed to be absorbent (which I guess they are) but it just wasn’t working for me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A little more research and I found several other bedding options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n