Question about Cardboard Box

[ladychick328]

Is it ok to keep your baby chick in a cardboard box for your brood box with the heat lamp on one end and what temp is too hot for them? We are concerned with the formaldehyde that the boxes are made of.

 

[esme13]

Is it ok to keep your baby chick in a cardboard box for your brood box with the heat lamp on one end and what temp is too hot for them? We are concerned with the formaldehyde that the boxes are made of.

I wouldn't recommend a cardboard box. My first concern is fire hazard, i'm always paranoid even with sterile containers. Another problem would be sanitation, if water spills it can create mold and other bacteria growth from the babies going to the bathroom. I would keep the heat lamp to one side. I wanted to add that their are other options for heat source such as mamas heating pads (I belived it was called that) also what ever you decide to use, make sure it is large that they can move around if they get to hot or cold that they have options to go to or away from the heat choice.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-baby-chicks—the-first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/

 

[JaeG]

I've used cardboard boxes no problem for my tiny Button quail who need to be protected from all drafts initially. Just make sure there's enough of a heat gradient that the baby can get away from the hot spot, and put their food and water at the coolest end. The temperature should be around 90F at the warmest end of the brooder during the first week, slowly reducing it by 5F each week until they are at room temperature. I'd advise putting a wire grate on top of the box and having the heat lamp sitting on that to prevent it falling in.

 

[Kiki]

Sure...cardboard boxes work fine for the first week or two.
Chicks grow really fast...
I have never heard of boxes containing formaldehyde...I will ask google able this now.

 

[Plip]

We used cardboard boxes the first several times we raised chicks, and it was never a problem.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Is it ok to keep your baby chick in a cardboard box for your brood box with the heat lamp on one end and what temp is too hot for them? We are concerned with the formaldehyde that the boxes are made of.

Hi, welcome to BYC!

I've raised probably well over 100 chicks (at different times) in cardboard boxes. Never had a problem with fumes yet. They are free and they are expandable when you need more room, simply with some tape and scissors. Not my preferred choice, because chicks are a LOT calmer when they see you coming from the side instead of swooping down like a predator. But they work fantastically! You might even get refrigerator sized ones from an appliance or rent to own type place.

Secure, secure, secure... your heating device. If you use a lamp avoid white light. Red is preferred and creates a MUCH more relaxed atmosphere. I even use non light emitting ones, but this requires a regular lamp for daytime because my location is dark. 250 watt heat lamps are likely WAY too hot if you're brooding indoors.

If the chicks huddle under the heat source loud peeping (once they're settled in) they are mad and cold. If they are running around happy peeping (you'll quickly learn the difference) and sleep under the heat relaxed or spread in a circle around it then they are plenty warm and you *might* be able to raise it a little. If they are sprawled out, wings spread and panting, they are too warm. Those temps are just guidelines and you'll be able to read body language before long.

I always wondered about cardboard.. once in a while my dogs like to eat it. I figured it was the glue or something. I stop it of course.