Fish tank brooder

MaryM · **Joined:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:03 pm **Posts:** 5

They are a little pricey but the kids can watch them so I am hoping they will take an interest.

finny · **Joined:** Mon Mar 08, 2010 8:03 pm **Posts:** 5

I had thought about using a fish tank but always worried that it would get too hot and not enough fresh air but I would love to try it one day

Roova · **Posted:** Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:12 pm

I've thought about it too and I think if you had a long fish tank, like a 3 or 4 footer, you could use a lamp (with an elbow) to hang over one end. There would be plenty of room for food and water up the other end and it would allow the chicks to move away from the heat to the middle if it got too hot. By the time they were growing and scratching madly there would be plenty of room for them to move around in the middle. You could also raise the arm as they needed less heat.

I reckon you could either get away with not having a glass top on it or just cover one half to allow fresh air to keep moving and some of the heat to escape. You could run it with out chicks for a day or two and keep an eye on the temperature to see what happens.

Having the main part of the lamp on the outside of the tank (maybe raised on bricks?) would mean they couldn't get it dirty or splash water on it too. I think it would be fantastic being abe to see them through the sides too. Who needs a tv then!!

MaryM · **Joined:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 5:03 pm **Posts:** 5

I have decided to order one so I will take some pictures when we have some chicks in it. Thanks everyone, you have all been a great help

jayborox · **Posted:** Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:29 pm

I have a 4 foot fish tank i picked up at a garage sale for $20. I use it all the time as a brooder. I have half of the lid covered with the glass the tank came with and the other half covered with a wire lid. I also have it set up against a window so the chicks get natural light. I bought a clip on lamp with a 60 watt globe thats used to heat the chicks if they need it. I find it a great set up and have raised hundreds of healthy happy chicks in it. :-D

charlie01 · **Joined:** Tue Aug 31, 2010 8:47 pm **Posts:** 100

Im using a fish tank for the chicks and ducklings this spring, It is working better than I thought it would.
The heat lamp just heats the glass lightly and the chicks love to sit against it.

Martin21 · **Joined:** Sun Oct 10, 2010 4:19 pm **Posts:** 3

I am assuming a clear plastic tank would also be ok to use with a reptile heat mat?

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