You cleaned the brooder.
The chicks took that personally.
The 16" Chick Tray gives you one designated spot for the feeder, waterer, and at least some of the mess your tiny flock is determined to create around them.
With a 1.75" raised lip, the tray helps contain scattered feed, loose bedding, and water drips so you can pick up and clean one tray instead of chasing chick debris across the brooder.
It's not going to make chicks less messy.
Let's not ask a piece of plastic to perform miracles.
At 16 inches across, the Chick Tray gives you room for a small chick feeder, waterer, or both, depending on the size of your setup.
The low 1.75" edge helps contain whatever lands on the tray while remaining low enough for little birds to step over and reach their food and water.
Set it on a stable, level spot in the brooder, add your equipment, and congratulations.
You've established the chick cafeteria.
They will not respect it.
But you've established it.
Place the tray on a stable, level area of your brooder and set your chick feeder, waterer, or both on top.
Check it regularly for spilled water, wet feed, droppings, or other contamination and clean as needed. Wash with mild soap and water, rinse thoroughly, and dry before returning it to the brooder.
This is a catch tray, not a drinking tray, so don't fill it with water.
The chicks are perfectly capable of creating their own mess.
No need to give them a head start.