Using a plastic storage container as a baby chick brooder

[MightyChickenJF]

The battery operated thermometer is a great idea, not only for making sure it will work in the first place but to monitor the conditions once I get the chicks.

My grandfather raised chickens for decades, and when I was a kid I observed his "backyard" (more along the lines of half an acre!) run rather closely. Chickens are meant to eat such things as bugs and scraps of vegetables.

I was a member of online "survivalist" forums a decade ago and baby chick constipation was occasionally discussed. I was thinking that the corn-based feed usually used in brooders might be difficult for chicks to digest sometimes.

I am thinking that a more traditional diet based on foraging as chickens are meant to do might be healthier for the chicks and also get them acclimated to the conditions they will experience as adults. Also, sometimes the babies will try to eat the wood scratch in their brooder.

The proper amount of ventilation is the big question mark here, along with heat control. I plan to put quite a lot of holes in, holes maybe the size of a dime with maybe 40 holes minimum. Then there is heat. I have come across low wattage brooder heaters on occasion online while searching for other things. That will definitely require more research.

 

[Yardmom]

I think your plan could work. The amount of sunlight that hits the brooder is really going to affect the temperature. Also the heat from the chicks bodies will change the temperature compared to an empty trial. I would worry more for it getting to warm than not be warm enough. You may need a heat source for the first couple of weeks. Something made out of a no-shutoff heating pad or brooder plate.

 

[The Moonshiner]

Thanks for answering.

I worry that your brooder won’t be able to stay at 90 degrees (the heat new chicks need to survive). Limiting ventilation will keep the heat in, but also can make the chicks sick because of no ventilation.

If you decide to go ahead with your plan, I would get a battery operated thermometer to keep in the bin and check temperatures for a week or teo before deciding to purchase chicks.

Alternatively, you can look to buy a few hens, and when one goes broody let her raise chicks for you and no brooder or heat would be needed.

Without a heat source and just relying on the sun to heat it how would that work? What happens on cloudy days or if the sun moves and it ends up in a shade spot?
And if it actually worked to get the temp up to 90° wouldn't that be the whole area? No zone to cool in if needed?
I know this isn't your thread but I'm discussing with you because you seem to be legit in thinking this through.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was a member of online "survivalist" forums a decade ago and baby chick constipation was occasionally discussed. I was thinking that the corn-based feed usually used in brooders might be difficult for chicks to digest sometimes.

From what I've seen the top cause of pasty butt is too much heat (i.e. heat lamps over a too small brooder). If you're anti corn there's corn free feed.

I am thinking that a more traditional diet based on foraging as chickens are meant to do might be healthier for the chicks and also get them acclimated to the conditions they will experience as adults. Also, sometimes the babies will try to eat the wood scratch in their brooder.

Can they survive in a minimal diet? Sure, that's why there's feral chicken flocks. Will they grow up as large and productive as birds fed a formulated diet? No. Chickens raised 100 years ago laid at a much lower rate and dressed out at lower weights, that's the trade off.

The proper amount of ventilation is the big question mark here, along with heat control. I plan to put quite a lot of holes in, holes maybe the size of a dime with maybe 40 holes minimum. Then there is heat. I have come across low wattage brooder heaters on occasion online while searching for other things. That will definitely require more research.

My concern with your brooder idea is 1) lack of space - you didn't mention how many chicks you were considering but even the largest plastic tote can only house about 3, 4 chicks to around 4 weeks, 2) you need a consistent source of heat available for the chicks to use when needed, 3) insufficient ventilation - holes the size of a dime are like sq inches of ventilation, and you need square feet. This is my outdoor brooder, just under 9 sq ft in floor space, note the open venting on both long sides, as well as smaller vents on both short sides:

 

[kateschickens18]

I know there has been at least one thread on this a long time ago but I can't find it. I am thinking of using a plastic storage container/bin to contain my baby chicks. (Yes, I'm new at raising chickens.) I want to turn it upside down with the lid side open to the ground so the chicks can grow up having familiarized themselves with the ground they will be living on. (This will also cut down on feed costs as well as what is sometimes called "pasty butt" where the chicks' vents become clogged and they are unable to pass body waste.) Of course I will cut plenty of air holes in the bin as well as a flap to refill their water. Has anybody tried this?

I brood all my chicks in totes, I have small, medium and large and then at 12 weeks they go out side in the big bin

 

[Iluveggers]

Without a heat source and just relying on the sun to heat it how would that work? What happens on cloudy days or if the sun moves and it ends up in a shade spot?

That is a concern to me as well. I am imagining ball jars of boiling water wrapped in a towel being moved in & out as needed. I would never have the guts to try this, but I am not off-grid and have electric & gas available unlike the OP. It would be continual observation of the thermometer. Maybe one with an alert for dropping under a given temp.

And if it actually worked to get the temp up to 90° wouldn't that be the whole area? No zone to cool in if needed?

It seems like it. Unless the heat was at one side like with a jar as posted in the other comment.

I know this isn't your thread but I'm discussing with you because you seem to be legit in thinking this through.

My initial thought was no way this could work, but when trying to think about what I could do without electric I was trying to think outside the box (obviously not literally).

This method of brooding is risky. I hope @MightyChickenJF shares the method & result with us after. I think waiting til later summer when temps are 70-80 degrees would be the best bet as it would be much easier to maintain brooder temp.

 

[MightyChickenJF]

Good responses here.

I do have solar and wind power however the main battery has to be monitored to make sure it doesn't get too low. I once came across an electric brooder heater that was something like 200w on ebay. Running an extension cord would not be a problem. I could use a timer so that the heater doesn't drain the main battery down.

As for vents, instead of laboriously carving small holes I could cut chunks out of the sides then glue wire into the openings.

Number of chicks, I think that Tractor Supply has a minimum purchase of 6 so as to discourage morons from buying chicks for Easter presents. I think minimum purchase at the Grange in Central Point is 5. So no more than 5-6 at a time.

When the snow stops and the ground dries out I will drag the tote I bought back in from the field and post pics. (I didn't think the wind would blow it as far as it did. Oops.)

 

[MightyChickenJF]

The moment yall have been waiting for:

These pix don't show the markings on the yardstick very well but it was hard to see exactly how the pix looked due to sun glare.

 

[Crazy Maizie]

Do a search for wool hen. That might also help with your plan.

My fear is that the ground retains the coldness especially at night (I know having backpacked for days and slept in a tent with minimal barriers between myself and the ground).

 

[1cock2hens]

I'm also off grid. If your chicks need a little extra heat you can fill gallon jugs with hot water so they have something warm to snuggle