Easy Housing Ideas for Baby Chicks and Ducklings
This list of easy and inexpensive housing for baby chicks and ducklings, will save you big and help you to build a secure home for your young flock.
Setting up a brooder doesn’t have to break the bank, and it’s an important part of raising chickens. Starting out with a home where your babies will feel safe and thrive will give you the beginnings of an amazing flock.
In fact, you can create a comfortable space for them using items you probably already have around your home and farm.
The goal? To ensure they have a warm, safe environment to grow during those first critical weeks.
Why Do Baby Chicks Need Special Housing?
Baby chicks and ducklings need special housing because they’re very vulnerable in their early stages of life.
They need a controlled environment to stay warm since they don’t yet have the feathers needed to regulate their own body temperature.
Special housing like a brooder provides a safe space with the right conditions that you can control. It’s also easier to monitor their food, water, and general health in a confined space during these early weeks.
You really only need a few essentials to set up a brooder: a heat lamp to keep the chicks or ducklings warm, bedding like pine shavings to keep the area clean and comfortable, and a stable feeder and waterer that are easy for your chicks to use.
Grab your FREE Baby Chick Housing Checklist below!
housing for baby chicks – easy diy ideas
When baby chicks arrive, they are young, only 1-3 days old, and that is why it is so important that their housing is right. I prefer to order my chicks online so I can pick the exact chicken breed. See our list of the best breeds for beginners to pick the right choice for you and your coop.
1. Make a DIY Cardboard Brooder
A simple cardboard box can serve as a safe, warm environment for baby chicks and ducklings, but there are some important things to keep in mind.
Make sure the cardboard material is sturdy enough to hold the chicks without collapsing and is placed away from moisture. Cardboards can easily absorb water and weaken.
Also, the cardboard brooder must have enough space for the chicks and ducklings to move around comfortably, and the sides should be high enough to prevent them from escaping as they grow.
If you have a low sided container, you will need to put a lid to keep everyone inside where they belong.
How much room do you need in a brooder?
You will want to have enough space for your chicks to move around comfortably. A good guide is to have .05 square feet for every chick.
2. Convert a barn stall
You can convert a stall in your barn and turn it into a great brooder for your chicks or ducklings. Be sure to add protection to keep everyone inside safely, as well as keep out any pets or other animals that can harm your chicks.
You will want to have plenty of bedding to keep everyone warm. You can use sawdust or pine shavings being sure to have a good thick layer.
If you have duckling, you will also want have a setup that will keep the brooder dry. Duckling love to play in their water and doubling up water bowls will help to keep things from getting soaked.
3. Choose a Galvanized Stock Tank Brooder
Use a galvanized stock tank for your brooder during the first few weeks.
A tank is a great option because it is durable and easy to clean. Because it has high sides, you will not need to worry about your chicks escaping until they are older.
You can use the ribbed sides to install a stick that your chicks can use for roosting. Also, a heated brooder mat will give them the warmth they need as they acclimate to the temperatures.
Cover any holes in the tank with duct tape to make it safe for the chicks, and place the tank on a drop cloth.
4. Opt for a Plastic Rubbermaid Tote
A plastic Rubbermaid tote is a great choice for a brooder because it’s durable and easy to clean.
Choose a size large enough to accommodate the chicks as they grow—typically, a 50-gallon tote works well for a small flock.
A clear or semi-transparent tote is great as well because you can easily check on your young birds without bothering them.
Also, make sure the tote is deep enough to keep them from getting out but not so deep that it’s hard for you to reach in and care of them.
A word of caution. Plastic totes are slippery, and for that reason, you will need to have something on the bottom that your chicks can easily grip. A few layers of newspaper or cardboard is enough to do the trick. The reason why is to prevent curly toe in chickens, something that can happen with slippery surfaces.
elements to include in your brooder setup
Let’s go over a few key parts of a brooder that you will want to include in your setup.
#1. Heat
Keeping chicks warm is crucial in their first few days of life. You should keep the temperatures above 90 degrees F and decrease that number by 5 degrees each day, allowing them to acclimate.
A heat lamp replicates the warmth that baby chicks would normally get from their mother, which is vital for their early development and health.
Look for a heat lamp with safety features and one that lets you adjust the heat. Always monitor the temperature to ensure it’s not too hot or too cold for them.
The height at which you set up a heat lamp in a brooder depends on the lamp’s strength and the size of your brooder.
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A good starting point is to hang the lamp about 18 to 20 inches above the floor of the brooder. Then, just adjust the height based on how the chicks or ducklings behave.
#2. Food and Water
You will need to have a feeder and waterer inside of the brooder that is easy for your chicks to access. I learned this tip on how to show your new chicks where the water is and still use it today.
As you place a new chick into the brooder, dip their little beaks into the water and set them down beside. The taste will make them curious, and they usually find it more quickly. All you need is one chick to find the waterer. The rest of the flock will follow her lead.
#3. A roost
It’s not necessary, but chicks love to try out and play on roosts. You can purchase one or DIY a small roost in your brooder.
Can’t wait to try these easy housing for baby chicks? Taking care of a small flock isn’t as hard as it might seem, and it doesn’t have to be expensive.
They can grow up healthy and strong even with a basic setup.
Remember, keep their living area clean, provide fresh water and proper feed, and monitor the temperature to make sure they’re comfortable.
You’ll do great; your care can make a big difference during these early weeks!
