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232 Hand-Rearing Birds

Figure­13.5­ Bird crate appropriate for housing larger chicks.

Brooder crates need to be large enough to allow an approximate 9 °F (5 °C) temperature differ-
ence from one side of the brooder to the other to allow the chick to adjust its behavior to meet its
own thermoregulatory requirements. However, if the brooder is too large, chicks may venture too
far from the heat source and suffer serious cooling. It is recommended that no more than two
chicks should be reared in a single brooder; overcrowding can lead to overheating and also increase
the likelihood of transferring disease. Stuffed animals are used for companionship and comfort for
single chicks.
Cloth toweling is the most commonly used substrate in the brooder and crates. Towels are easily
available and can be easily cleaned. Roughly textured, holey, or frayed towels should not be used
because of the risk of injuries resulting from snagged toenails or necks getting twisted in the frayed
towels. It is equally important that the substrate is not smooth to prevent the chick’s feet from slid-
ing out underneath it. Temporary or permanent damage to muscles, tendons, and joints can result
from improper footing.

Older Chicks
As chicks reach 500 g, they are moved into larger crates (29.2 × 21.3 × 16.3 in./ 74.1 × 54 × 41.5 cm)
and, weather permitting, may stay outside during the day. As chicks grow older and more timid, it
is useful to provide an “air‐kennel” with towels covering half of the crate so that the chicks may
hide. This is usually the stage at which chicks go through their “first phase”; at this weight, they
may refuse food at one feeding or not eat full amounts at each feed, they are more skittish to any