Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
rat-proof; rats (not mice) will destroy day-olds on their first night in their new home.
See chapter 26 , Dealing with Predators, for a rat-proofing discussion.
If this type of brooder is in a large building, remember the season, and adjust heat
lamps and wattage accordingly. Use either 250- or 125-watt heat bulbs and adjust the
bulbs based on the room temperature, season, number of chicks, and other factors. Keep
a thermometer at the birds' level and try to keep it at 95°F (35°C) the first week. This
is the time to be an overprotective mom or pop; frequently check to see that the babies
aren't too cold or too warm (see box on page 72 , Recognizing Temperature-Stressed Ba-
bies) and that the lamp is correctly situated. I strongly advocate hanging the lamp at one
end of the space to allow for relief from too warm an afternoon at the other end.
Never allow heat lamps to hang closer than 12 inches (30 cm), a proper distance for
cold weather. In warmer weather the lamp can hang roughly 18 inches (45 cm) from
the birds. Read carefully the recommendations given by the light bulb and lamp manu-
facturers. I hang my lamps from the rafters or 2×4s (5×10 cm) situated specifically for
that purpose, using two pieces of electric-fence wire to ensure they will not drop to the
ground and start a fire.
A more detailed discussion of how to manage heat for brooding chicks starts on page
70 in this chapter.
The Plastic Tub Brooder
If you plan to raise just a few broods a year, the cheapest and most reliable way to keep
baby chicks clean, safe, and free from drafts is to use large 110-quart (104 L) plastic
storage containers as first shelters in their new home. They are a cinch to clean and san-
itize, can be used year after year, and don't require high-wattage light bulbs, decreasing
fire risk. You can easily make a screen enclosure on top and place the heat lamp with the
60-, 75-, or 100-watt bulb in it directly on top of the screen. I transfer my chicks to the
metal tier brooder as an intermediate home sometime between ten days and two weeks,
but at three to four weeks you can just as easily go straight to the floor of a building,
provided it is predator-proof.
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