I have been brooding chicks for a few years, and I have found a better method for brooding chicks. This method is easy to set up, clean, and not expensive. You will need the fallowing for the brooder.

• 18 Gallon Storage Bin (No Lid)
• Light Socket With Cord
  
• Light Bulb (40-100 Watt)
• Long Piece of Wood, about 2 feet long. 
• Chick Feed Starter
• News Paper or Paper Towel
• One Quart Waterer
  

Layer the news paper (or paper towel) on the bottom of the storage bin. Never use wood shavings; your chicks could eat or suffocate the wood shavings. Scatter feed on the bottom of the brooder for the first 7 days of life. This makes it easier for the chicks to find food.

 Attach the cord on a long piece of wood. Then place the wood over the brooder (like the picture bellow). Do not let the light bulb touch the ground. Keep the light bulb at least 1-2 inches off the floor, and the sides of the brooder. The chicks should be allowed to get next to the light bulb for warmth.

Temperature- A 40-75 watt light bulb will work in a room temperature room. A 100-150 watt light bulb may be needed for a very cold room. You will not be required to increase or decrease the temperature of the light bulb as your chicks grow. The picture bellow shows chick behavior best indicator of comfortable temperature. 

Water- For the first three days add 1 tbs. per quart of water. Dip the beak of day old chicks into the water this helps the bird to know how to drink. For baby bantams, guineas, and turkeys use red marbles (or rocks) to prevent any chicks from drowning. Also place the waterer on the opposite side of the light bulb, to keep the water cooled.

Feed-A chick starter feed will be good enough. You can buy poultry feed at you local feed store.

Proper Brooding Location- Keep the brooder away from windows, and pets. Also place the brooder in a draft free room.

Things you should know about the brooder- This brooder is ideal for a dozen of standard chicks, bantams, guineas, baby quail; or half a dozen of turkeys, and ducks. 

Water: For the first few days add 4 tbs. per gallon of water. 1 tbs. per quart of water. Clean and refill water daily to keep clean. If you have day old birds dip there beak into the water this helps the bird to know how to drink. For baby bantams use rock and cover the bowl with them to help them not to drown.

Litter: I always feel the floor with feed for the first 3 days of life. This makes it easier for the chicks to find food. Never use news paper, because it can cause Spraddle Leg. Some times I use paper towel. Another option is the brooder floor should be covered in a small holed hardware cloth. The cloth helps the new chick develop its walk, and also helps prevent splayed leg and curled toes.

Feed: A chick starter feed will be good enough. You can buy poultry feed ( chick starter ) at you local feed store.

                    Thanks Darrell Romney for the pictures above

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