I am dusting off and breaking out the brooder I built about three years ago to brood quail.
You can't tell all of its fine features from this photograph.
It is four feet by three feet and three feet high. It was in my living room years ago and is now in the garage.
In the foreground is space for feeders. I had two game bird chick feedersthat fit through the opening in the wire here. I may have to to use something else if the feeders don't work for chickens.
Along the front you see a drain pipe with a hole in the top. I can use a pitcher to fill that, and the bottom has nipple waterers for the chicks to get fresh clean water that they don't spoil.
The bottom of the pen is vinyl coated 1/2" wire. I'll be reinstalling the platform below where the poop is collected. You can just see a roll of kraft paper ( i bought it in bulk). This is my favorite feature. I can remove that paper liner and put it in on the compost pile as often as necessary, then tear off another sheet and place it on the platform.
The top of the pen is pastic hardware cloth, secured by hair clips. Ok, secured is too strong a word. Our Valley quail were accomplished fliers at less than one week old and found their way out. Imagine the memories of coming home from church to find them all over the house.
There are some modifications I'm thinking about before putting some hatchling chickens in it this month.
1. Water - I don't know if the water height is right, or if it will be after they grow a bit.
2. Top - I'm think of putting in a more solid roof with plexiglass and plywood. Is there any disadvantage to the plexiglass material for a roof? Present height is 9" interior. I'll have to raise the roof if I make the water source any higher.
3. Heat Source - I had a small space heater used with this in the past. With some foil insulation, it worked pretty well at creating a warm area at the back. I've also thought about using an infrared heat lamp like most people do. If I do, will the infrared spectrum shine through the plexiglass okay? Or will I just be getting the top of it hot?
4. Fort. I'll be building a little fort around the whole thing with cardboard, to keep out drafts when the garage door is opened, and contain the dust a little bit.
What height will chickens achieve before being fully feathered? ( I may do turkeys in a future year - they probably will get a bit taller).
Any other feedback?
Thanks. I will post it in the brooder gallery thread once there are birds in it.
You can't tell all of its fine features from this photograph.
In the foreground is space for feeders. I had two game bird chick feedersthat fit through the opening in the wire here. I may have to to use something else if the feeders don't work for chickens.
Along the front you see a drain pipe with a hole in the top. I can use a pitcher to fill that, and the bottom has nipple waterers for the chicks to get fresh clean water that they don't spoil.
The bottom of the pen is vinyl coated 1/2" wire. I'll be reinstalling the platform below where the poop is collected. You can just see a roll of kraft paper ( i bought it in bulk). This is my favorite feature. I can remove that paper liner and put it in on the compost pile as often as necessary, then tear off another sheet and place it on the platform.
The top of the pen is pastic hardware cloth, secured by hair clips. Ok, secured is too strong a word. Our Valley quail were accomplished fliers at less than one week old and found their way out. Imagine the memories of coming home from church to find them all over the house.
There are some modifications I'm thinking about before putting some hatchling chickens in it this month.
1. Water - I don't know if the water height is right, or if it will be after they grow a bit.
2. Top - I'm think of putting in a more solid roof with plexiglass and plywood. Is there any disadvantage to the plexiglass material for a roof? Present height is 9" interior. I'll have to raise the roof if I make the water source any higher.
3. Heat Source - I had a small space heater used with this in the past. With some foil insulation, it worked pretty well at creating a warm area at the back. I've also thought about using an infrared heat lamp like most people do. If I do, will the infrared spectrum shine through the plexiglass okay? Or will I just be getting the top of it hot?
4. Fort. I'll be building a little fort around the whole thing with cardboard, to keep out drafts when the garage door is opened, and contain the dust a little bit.
What height will chickens achieve before being fully feathered? ( I may do turkeys in a future year - they probably will get a bit taller).
Any other feedback?
Thanks. I will post it in the brooder gallery thread once there are birds in it.
