I originally posted this comment in the "show your brooder pix" thread, but after 171 hits on that thread I'm afraid that my question will be lost. Mods, please move or consolidate as necessary, as I'm fairly new here and don't fully understand all the rules yet.
I've spent all weekend working on the coop and will hopefully finish next weekend. Pix then, then onto the run. During the evenings when it has been too dark to work outside, I've been researching and pondering the construction/rigging of our brooder. We plan to pick up six 2 day old BR's the week following Thanksgiving, so I want the brooder to be set up before hand. Yesterday I spotted a 120 quart igloo cooler in my outhouse (storage shed) and two old metal wire shelves from a fridge we ditched years ago (I knew those things would come in handy one day). Anyway, tonight I began my experiment at regulating the temperature in my igloo cooler/brooder with a 75 watt bulb in a common clamp-on shop light. To my delight, the temp stabilized at 95.2 degrees, and I can easily regulate the temperature by slightly elevating the light fixture. A cheap, multi-purpose, and easily cleaned brooder is born!
So, my question is, what is the best method for the flooring of the igloo brooder? Is pine shavings alone sufficient? If so, how often should I clean it out? Should I install one of the raised screen type of rigs that I've seen in some of the brooder pix here? Do I still use pine shavings with the raised screen floor? Thanks in advance.
Beers y'all,
Ken
I've spent all weekend working on the coop and will hopefully finish next weekend. Pix then, then onto the run. During the evenings when it has been too dark to work outside, I've been researching and pondering the construction/rigging of our brooder. We plan to pick up six 2 day old BR's the week following Thanksgiving, so I want the brooder to be set up before hand. Yesterday I spotted a 120 quart igloo cooler in my outhouse (storage shed) and two old metal wire shelves from a fridge we ditched years ago (I knew those things would come in handy one day). Anyway, tonight I began my experiment at regulating the temperature in my igloo cooler/brooder with a 75 watt bulb in a common clamp-on shop light. To my delight, the temp stabilized at 95.2 degrees, and I can easily regulate the temperature by slightly elevating the light fixture. A cheap, multi-purpose, and easily cleaned brooder is born!
So, my question is, what is the best method for the flooring of the igloo brooder? Is pine shavings alone sufficient? If so, how often should I clean it out? Should I install one of the raised screen type of rigs that I've seen in some of the brooder pix here? Do I still use pine shavings with the raised screen floor? Thanks in advance.
Beers y'all,
Ken