Brooder Box Question

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I have searched and saw a lot of brooder plans and examples. I have a question. I would like the hardware cloth in the bottom and droppings tray. BUT how old do they need to be before I put them on wire floor. Will their toes get stuck? Will the poo really fall through? I getting 25 Rainbow mix standard chickens from MPC.

 

[Opa]

Have have a wooden brooder box that I designed so a 30x30" droppings tray I bought at TSC would slide out from the bottom. The birds are on wire and I haven't experienced any problems. If you wanted you could put a layer of newspaper on the wire for the first week.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I raised mine on 1/2" hardware cloth, sort of. Most of the poop falls through but not all. I never had any problems with their feet getting stuck, but I did have one that was about a week old get its "knee" stuck in the wire and had to be helped loose. I'm hoping I never have to brood chicks again but if I do, I'd raise them on wire, sort of, again.

I say sort of because they were not 100% on wire. It is important for them to have access to some of their day or two old poop to eat. It helps them develop immunities. I left the poop on the 2x4's that were supporting the wire and put a piece of cardboard on a portion of the floor so they could get the poop they needed.

 

[steelshot]

I raise all mine on 1/2 x 1/2 wire and they do fine. I put them on wire at day one and don't seem to have any troubles. I think they still get exposed to enough poo on the wire to build thier immune system.

 

[rebelcowboysnb]

If you use 1/4th hole wire they can go on it from day one an most of the poop will fall threw. Standard sized birds can live on 1 by 1 square rabbit wire after there a few days old. You could go with a 1/2 inch wire an do good.

 

[joedie]

I built my brooder box with 3 sides and hinged top. I pushed it up against the wall for the 4th side and used pine shavings on th bottom. I could easily clean it out bu sliding it away from the wall.

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

I like the idea of a removable side. I think now I will put in a tray shelf with shavings. Just pick up chicks remove tray, dump and put back and replace shavings. I love it!!!! Thanks guys you all are so much help. Anybody got one like this with pictures or advice?

 

[Opa]

1f you are in a building mode here is the one that I built https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?pid=2041371

 

[hangin'witthepeeps]

Opa, this is great. Some of the pictures are not there anymore. How did you set up your light with adjustable heat?