The Poultry Keeper

Kitsune · Joined: 13 Mar 2008 Posts: 1168 Location: Manchester

Someone asked me to update on how the duel level brooder worked out..

Well - initially I had the chicks on the top level with a barrier so they couldn't fall down to the lower level - after a week I took down the barrier and put up the ramp - after 10 minutes of watching 2 chicks made their way down andthen couldn't figure out how to get back up to the heat again, just sat under the level cheeping louder and louder.

So I put another ramp in effectively blocking off the area under the top level. They had a top warm area and then ramps down to a bottom 'play' area with a litter tray full of sand - that was fine and after another week I took one of the ramps away so they could get under again, still no joy in finding their way back up which really surprised me as I figured they'd have more of a mental map of their surroundings by this point..

So I decided to change my tack and moved the two higher levels (this is a 40"x 18" cage with two shelves that can be moved around) to the sides and had their heat on the lower level - then they couldn't get stuck! I left their food and water up on the top levels and sat down to watch - that was no problem at all, they were up and down like nobodys business to get food and water and after another week I took the ramps out and they were jumping/flapping up to get it.

Not drastically successful but it has slightly increased the usable area in the cage and has meant I could keep them in it longer than I could without the extra levels.

They are now 4 weeks old and have only one shelf with food and water on though I'm considering putting the other one back and splitting food/water again as I'm sick of cleaning feed out of the waterer!!

vanessa · Joined: 24 Sep 2005 Posts: 1163 Location: Correze

How interesting, Vikki ... that they'd go upstairs for food but not for heat!!

Petite Holder · Joined: 11 Mar 2008 Posts: 88

Thanks for updating. Ours has the option of two levels.
The heat on the lower level was a good idea. I think it was a great success.

Thanks