7 top tips for brooder boxes

7 of the top essentials for making sure that the brooder box for your baby chicks is the best for them, saving you money without compromising.
• You need a big container that’s easy to clean or even better, disposable. A cardboard box that you can get for free and then throw away is perfect.
• Chicks need ventilation but no drafts – make sure the sides of the box are at least 30 cm (1 foot).
• A lid is a good idea, to keep the chicks in and to keep overly-inquisitive pets out.
• Make sure your heat source is reliable – two (lower wattage) bulbs are better than one in case one blows.
• Safety first – Shield the bulbs so the chicks can’t burn themselves on them, and be careful not to create a fire hazard if the bulb should explode or fall.
• As the chicks grow, decrease the heat. Start about 38 degrees Celcius for newly hatched chicks. Watch how the chicks behave – if they are scattered around the box eating and sleeping, the heat is probably right.
• Non-slip flooring is essential for preventing spraddle leg. Newspaper is too slippery, so cover it with cheap, non-slip drawer liner.
See my own brooder box set up in this video: https://youtu.be/e5yKnAM__44

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