The Best Brooder For Friendly Chicks | Week One With Your Chicks

[@11lindemann]

Thanks so much, this worked great!

[@opryhill6552]

Oh that is the best news ❤️❤️❤️

[@donna9384]

I did this last year Because we didn't have the coop ready. I used a large wire dog crate and added hardware clothe around it so they could kick bedding out. Worked great but, having 22 chicks in the house was not a good idea lol. I had them in here for 4 weeks and the dust was awful. I was having to deep clean daily. From the ceiling fans to the floors and everything in-between. When chicks lose their down and start getting feathers the down floats everywhere. So I could see how the pet pen would work better in containing some of that. And if you only had a few chicks instead of 22 wouldn't be as bad. I have duck eggs in the incubator now. So I might give the pet pen a try. How did it do with containing the dust? Thanks for the ideas.

[@opryhill6552]

I couldn’t agree more! I used a cardboard box, a dog kennel, a plastic tote...I tried it all. I would say this one is the best at controlling the dust...but not 100% for sure. I am going to make an update on week 4 for what I do when they start the just...make a dusty mess. As far as the dust in bedding, what were you using? I have found that when you use heat dried bedding there is so much less dust! So. Much. Less. I am also going to experiment with hemp bedding and can let you know about that! I hear that is almost dust free!

[@temposhop8739]

I'll be trying this with my large batch of quail chicks! How and what do you use to deep clean it?

[@opryhill6552]

I am so glad you are going to try it out! I will have a video coming out this week you can look for! I will give you a short summary for now just so you have something to go off of! I use pine shavings as my bedding. Every morning when I go to change water and check on food I use a hand held garden rake to fluff up bedding (I have found this extends the life of the bedding and controls smells) and add small handfuls of bedding where needed. I also leave a bowl of vinegar by the brooder. It might sound counter productive because vinegar has such a strong smell but it helps to neutralize any odors that come off of the brooder. I promise you will barely notice it after a while as it works it’s magic. Depending on how many quail that will call it home, I always use the simple method for deep cleaning/removal of bedding for how many weeks old they are. Once a week for week one, twice a week for week two, three times a week for week three...but obviously you can play that number by visual observation and well...smell. Once the bedding is removed, I spot clean the floor and sides of the brooder with a solution of vinegar and water. It is a great disinfectant and controls odor! I feel quail might be a lot let messy than the chicks but keep in mind if they like to dig around like the chicks do it will create some dust by week three/four.

[@temposhop8739]

@@opryhill6552 awesome. Thanks for the detailed response!