rabbits and chicks using cages

carl reitnauer · May 27, 2014

I have a rabbitry with about a hundred inactive cages. can I use these for some two week old chicks for a few weeks? What sanitary precautions whould I take/

WCS · May 27, 2014

wouldn't the chicks require a solid floor?

Traditional Farmer · May 27, 2014

Two week old chicks need heat and the wire floor will be too drafty,if you put a heat lamp on top of the cage and something like a piece of plywood on the floor of the cage it might work if its not a drafty building.A couple old stock tanks would work a lot better.

Nate V. IA · May 27, 2014

I have 24,000 chicks in cages, I keep the barn at 92 for the first couple days and at two weeks they are at 85. I have a heavy paper that I place in the cages for the first 7 days, the cage floor is 3/4 by 3/4 in wire and they don't have any trouble after 7 days.

I would go ahead and try it, wash the cages good and I would singe the cages with a torch.

carl reitnauer · May 27, 2014

i'm in florida and we have 90 degree days and 75 degree nights.

rdandersom · May 27, 2014

I nnalert layer pullets for a while after I lost my job during the automotive crash in'08.Most layers are caged raised.I got to talk to a few of the growers or their help during our breaks.They put several thicknesses of newspaper in the cages and crowd the chicks tight to keep them warm.Most heat their barns to 100 degrees for new chicks to prevent piling.Caged pullet barns are 3 or 4 tiers and all the chicks would be started on one of the middle layers then split to 2 layers at about 2 1/2 weeks.We came in when the chicks were 7 weeks old and distributed the birds evenly among the cages then when we were handling them anyway for thier fowl pox and infectious laryno trachy something vaccinations.Cool nights could be a problem for you if the chicks get cold and start piling up.Another thing to think about is that a chick can get through a remarkably small opening like around a feeder or waterer.

Dave H (MI) · May 28, 2014

We raise rabbits and poultry. Put down solid material (non slip!) that you can quickly replace every day or two for sanitation. Cardboard is great but score it with a utility knife or they will slip and spraddle leg will occur...non curable. Temperature, food, water and relief from any persistent cold drafts is all that is left.

JRSutton · May 28, 2014

They're probably perfectly fine, but you could fill a sprayer with bleach (1:1 with water to make it go further if need be) - throw on some clothes you don't care about, and just soak everything.

Geo-TH,In · May 29, 2014

My neighbor has lost almost all his chickens to dogs, fox, and other critters. You may want to make rabbit cages a full time safe place to raise your chickens.

rabbits and chicks using cages

carl reitnauer

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WCS

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Traditional Farmer

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Nate V. IA

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carl reitnauer

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rdandersom

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Dave H (MI)

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JRSutton

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Geo-TH,In

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