How long will this tank work for? Could I add a second level inside to make it work longer?

[Drummiegirl91]

I have a 75 gallon aquarium I’m using as the brooder for 12 chicks. They’re around a week old. The tank is 50” L x 18” W x 20” T. I’m using a large radiant heat plate. I didn’t have the feet for it (got it from a friend) so I have it raised with mason jars lol, it’s worked perfectly to allow them all under it together though. I’m trying to figure out how to continue using it once they get a bit taller and the only idea I’ve had is garden pave stones or bricks but they’re not available at any of my local stores yet. If I stack them as “walls” and made steps to allow them to use the top of the heat plate as a second “floor” would that stretch out how long they can use it? Or I’ve thought about somehow building a platform that stretches most of the length of the tank to give them more room to roam and explore? I have a 21.8 sqft playpen I can move them to once they get too big for the fish tank but I’d love to make it work as long as I can because it’s a lot easier to keep them safe from our cats inside it than the play yard will be and I’m still trying to plan where I can set it up once I need to. I have a screened in patio but I’m worried it’ll be too cold before they’re feathered out enough and we have stray cats that hang out back there sometimes

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Probably around 2 weeks. Than they will become more active, and more able to regulate their own body temperature. I generally move them to something bigger at that point.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Chickens don't "stack." I agree this is about big enough to hold them until around 2 weeks old and then they'll need a larger space.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

If you were to somehow divide your aquarium so it had an upper and lower level ... the chicks on the top level would just fly out and would be pooping all over your apartment. They'd also be in danger of being stepped on. I don't see how it could work. But I do wish you luck. Do you have a place to put them outside?