Anyone tried this brooder concept?

I am new to chickens and looking for a good brooder set-up. The chicks I want to order are $60/each, so I want minimum risk/loss. I stumbled across this brooder plan and was wondering if anyone has tried it or has thoughts on it. Any advice would be appreciated!

http://www.plamondon.com/wp/build-200-chick-brooder-two-hours-20/

Also, would it be safest to keep it in the house for best temperature control? (I live in Iowa) My husband isn't thrilled with that idea, but again, these are expensive chicks to risk lol.

If you are going to keep them in the house you don't need a brooder like the one in your link. You could just use a tote and a heat lamp.

I've not used one, but I've seen them before and like the concept. I'm brooding multiple ages and the heating pad just didn't work well, so I'm still using a heat lamp in a stock tank. I like the roof of this, to trap the heat better...I know I lose a lot of heat/energy that way. I'd sure like a set up where I could have something like this in my main coop, with wire or something around it to allow chicks in but keep grown birds out.

I like the concept, but I also like to see the chicks and get to them easily. How do you know what's going on in there? Can the top have a viewing window and latched door opening?

EmeraldAcres said:

I am new to chickens and looking for a good brooder set-up. The chicks I want to order are $60/each, so I want minimum risk/loss. I stumbled across this brooder plan and was wondering if anyone has tried it or has thoughts on it. Any advice would be appreciated!



http://www.plamondon.com/wp/build-200-chick-brooder-two-hours-20/



Also, would it be safest to keep it in the house for best temperature control? (I live in Iowa) My husband isn't thrilled with that idea, but again, these are expensive chicks to risk lol.

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I would definitely not use a brooder like that. Brooders need heat but the whole brooder should not be the same temperature. Chicks need the ability to come and go between heat and cooler temperatures as needed and wanted. Food and water should not be placed directly in the heat.

mandelyn said:

I like the concept, but I also like to see the chicks and get to them easily. How do you know what's going on in there? Can the top have a viewing window and latched door opening?

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That was another thought of mine, and difficult to clean things up probably

Good gravy, how many $60/each chicks were you planning to buy?!

R2elk said:

I would definitely not use a brooder like that. Brooders need heat but the whole brooder should not be the same temperature. Chicks need the ability to come and go between heat and cooler temperatures as needed and wanted. Food and water should not be placed directly in the heat.

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I agree I built a wood box with plywood and it fits in my garage but I use too heat lamps. It gives them enough room for them to run around but then they can regulate their temp. Also like debid said what chicks are you buying that are $60 the chick?

mandelyn said:

I like the concept, but I also like to see the chicks and get to them easily. How do you know what's going on in there? Can the top have a viewing window and latched door opening?

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You could easily make it with a pulley system so you could lift it up to view the chicks, or even put a mirror down so you could view underneath. I like the mirror idea, b/c you could move it all the way around to view from all sides. As for the viewing window or latched door, that would negate the option of using shavings on the top for insulation.

R2elk said:

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HannahZuni said:

I agree I built a wood box with plywood and it fits in my garage but I use too heat lamps. It gives them enough room for them to run around but then they can regulate their temp. Also like debid said what chicks are you buying that are $60 the chick?

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My search for chicks/breed has been a long one! lol.. At first it was too hard to narrow down, because there are so many that I like! My original plan was to start with 10 breeds, but then I looked at it logicly and realistically and realized as a beginner, I should start with one until I get some knowledge and experience of breeding them under my belt. The ones I have decided to go with are Blue Birchen Marans from GFF. I like the reputation of egg quality and temperament of the Maran, but am honestly just not a fan of the red/orange coloring on the black copper. From what I have gathered GFF has an excellent reputation for their breeding program, so I figured they would have good quality breeding stock to begin with. They do come at quite a hefty price so I planned to purchase 10 of them at the MOST, and build up a good flock slow and steady from there.
I MAY also try some of the American Bresse just to see if the meat quality is all it is boasted to be about by the French... but we will see on that.