Anyone use GQF Brooders?

[rilly10]

I have been hatching way too many silkies and showgirls and plastic tote brooders have now taken over my office! I was thinking of still using plastic totes with newspaper for the first week, and them moving them into a GQF Brooder. Does anyone on here have one? What do you think? Would you recommend them?

 

[Mak]

I do! Got it last year from a woman who was getting out of meat chickens. I love it. This years group is the second set of chicks I've raised in it. They have all done very well. I haven't lost a single chick either year. They have a short adjustment to the wire bottom, but it is literally a couple hours and they are fine. I like the fact that I can line the under tray with newspaper and most of the poop falls through onto that, making cleaning really easy. It has plenty of room for them to get away from the heat if needed. The outside food and water troughs keep the feed and water much cleaner. I haven't put a lot of chicks in there at one time, so I have plenty of room for a low roost bar and a sand box for grit and playtime. I'm glad we got it!

 

[Mak]

Page 2 of this thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=469975

has some pics of mine

 

[rilly10]

Awesome! Thanks so much for the feedback! I think I am going to get one. I am so sick of my office being covered in dust form the shavings!

 

[KZ]

I have one also and I love it. I bought mine directly from GQF new.

I like chicks, but I don't like poopy water full of bloated wood chips, spilled food, and bad smell. The GQF allows me a great view of the chicks and the water and food attach to the outside the brooder. They have plenty of room to eat and no one gets crowded out but they can't poop in the water or food - they still manage to push some food on the floor though! The chicks are on wire and poopy droppings fall through to the bottom. I have the bottom tray lined with newspaper and can easily change it daily (just pull the pan out and change... simple!). I wouldn't use anything else now.

I briefly considered buying another GQF brooder but I think my DH would snap....

 

[KZ]

Oh, and I put the chicks in there directly from the incubator but I have standard size chickens. I believe GQF reccommends paper towels on the wire for the first week for quail and banty size chicks....

I have 26 two and three week old chicks in there right now and they have plenty of room.

 

[rilly10]

Perfect! I don't mind them on paper towles for the first week, just hate switching them to shavings from then on! That sounds perfect for me! Thanks so much I am gonna order one for sure! I wish I could afford two

 

[heirloomorps]

Hello All

We just purchased the 5 tier version of this and have to say we have been struggling with it...

Our Polish and Ameraucana's don't seem to be doing well with it at all....

Any hints, tips and advice would be appreciated!

Also, what number of birds do you put in each tier? The book doesn't seem to be that accurate for us...

Thanks!