Rabbit Cage as brooder

[S.glenn]

I will be getting chickens in the spring. I recently purchased a wire rabbit cage from a garage sale. Can I use it as a brooder or will the metal get too hot and burn the chicks? I'm a "newbie" so please be patient with me!

 

[Dawn419]

I used a rabbit cage that we built, for my brooder this spring.

I covered the floor with styrofoam sheeting, then covered that with plastic. I made sure the plastic came up the sides about 6 inches. This helped keep the pine shavings in the brooder...until they figured out dust bathing!

Dawn

 

[SarahF]

I also used a rabbit cage and than a heating lamp...they were just fine. The bottom was just plastic and was about 4 inches high, and than a wire top, about 5-6 inches high...depends on how many chicks you are going to have, i had 5, and that was plenty of room for them. Good Luck

 

[bigzio]

Yep, the important part is to cover the sides to avoid drafts.. then regulate the heat by lifting or lowering the light so it's just right.

bigzio

 

[WoodlandWoman]

You can also cut pieces of cardboard for the sides, to block drafts.

 

[2mnypets]

We have a rabbit hutch that we converted to a brooder that sits within the main chicken coop now. We just laid down wood over the wire for the floor. It has worked out perfect.

 

[Standard Hen]

I have mine set up just like Dawn's!