best brooders tips, and tricks..

[gamelife]

I also use a large plastic tote, it works very well. It's easy to clean. I take the chicks out and let them play in the sun while I spray out and dry the tote,
set it back up and it's ready to go. Very easy and efficient.

 

[Wjeffgriggs]

the cheap plastic baby pools you can get at Wal-Mart seems like a good idea

 

[bantamweight21]

Ok would my rhode island chicks be fine that i have a regular 75 watt light bulb. In a 15 gallon plastic tub. They seem fine ive had them since 4 pm est time and they are still running around hyper 3 in the morning. Could someone suggest me a red light that would be 75 watts and i not have to spend a lot of money. They need to get some sleep

 

[mandelyn]

Found a 95qt tote shaped just right! Longer than it is tall, just deep enough to heat with 60w bulb, and should last until the 3rd week when I can use my 9 sq ft dog whelping box. Found the whelping box on craigslist for $30, galvanized 7 inch deep pan and cage sides.

Cut the center of the tote lid out, the whole thing. Leaving just the rim to bolt on hardware cloth. Used washers to hold the hardware cloth snug. Used a drill for the bolt holes. Super easy, took less than an hour.

The first time I worked with a tote, I used the razor blade for cutting out the lid. This time, I used it to start the cut, but finished with the tin snips. Way easier! Tin snips will cut the plastic as easy as scissors cut paper.

Bought a 60w, 75w, and 150w brooder bulb, to see what worked best for the tote. The 60w gets the brooder box perfect. 99 right below, cooler on the other end. Saving the 150w for the bigger brooder, since it goes in the cold basement.

You have to be careful with those higher wattage bulbs, usually they're only needed for outside, inside a heated house... they're just too much. Always, always use a ceramic base, they'll melt the plastic type and could cause a fire.

In the past, I always used hand built wooden brooders. Husband had to help. The tote, did that on my own! He wants to steal it for starting seeds.

These totes, depending on the size, would be really nice for transport too. Lot's of future uses.