I'm going to be keeping my 3 new birds inside the house until about January or so (I have reasons, mainly I want to completely rebuild the coop they little 3 are in and add in the 3 babies, so I need money and that will best be done with taxes, not to mention I enjoy indoor chickens and miss the other three being indoors in the evening) and want to build a large brooder box in the spare bedroom (not worried about dust/cleaning/etc., no one will be in there exept for me, DH and the chickens. Possibly chicken visitors). I'm going to be making it 3 feet by 5 feet (15 sq feet), and using sand for the bedding. The babies are little right now.
So, a few questions from you all who are more experienced.
How tall should I make it? I'm keeping them in there, with plenty of free range time outside during the day, until they're pretty much full grown. I've got 2 RIRs and one BR. I know they get big, but how tall do they need things? I am planning on putting in a roost. How tall should that be? I can't go all the way to the roof. I'm thinking about 4 feet? And the roost being 2 feet up?
Is 3x5 going to be too big for them right now? Should I partition some off until they get a bit bigger? I'll be able to make the brooder bigger when the time comes, if necessary, but for right now, I'm thinking that's going to be a good size (5 square feet/bird plus free range time).
How do you do the water with the sand? I'm cleaning out the box they're in right now at least once a day because they are constantly spilling it over and soaking the food they've spilt as well as the bedding. I'm worried if I switch to a nipple, they won't know where to get the water from. ?
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated. Sorry for all the questions, I'm still very new to chickens!
ETA: I'm using plywood all the way around for the sides, and the top is going to be 1x4 frame with hardwire cloth (thats the right name, right?) all over it. I didn't plan on windows or anything as I don't have any tools, just a saw and hammer, and the top being open would let in plenty of light. It'll be right under a window, opened often in the evenings when they're roosting for fresh air. I don't want it too tall, unless I'm going to put in a door to be able to walk in. I'm 5 nothing and would like to be able to look over the top if possible. Come to think if it, it would be easier with a door for cleaning and playing with the chickens, right?
And I was going to get the supplies tomorrow....I may wait til next week, lol.
So, a few questions from you all who are more experienced.
How tall should I make it? I'm keeping them in there, with plenty of free range time outside during the day, until they're pretty much full grown. I've got 2 RIRs and one BR. I know they get big, but how tall do they need things? I am planning on putting in a roost. How tall should that be? I can't go all the way to the roof. I'm thinking about 4 feet? And the roost being 2 feet up?
Is 3x5 going to be too big for them right now? Should I partition some off until they get a bit bigger? I'll be able to make the brooder bigger when the time comes, if necessary, but for right now, I'm thinking that's going to be a good size (5 square feet/bird plus free range time).
How do you do the water with the sand? I'm cleaning out the box they're in right now at least once a day because they are constantly spilling it over and soaking the food they've spilt as well as the bedding. I'm worried if I switch to a nipple, they won't know where to get the water from. ?
Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated. Sorry for all the questions, I'm still very new to chickens!
ETA: I'm using plywood all the way around for the sides, and the top is going to be 1x4 frame with hardwire cloth (thats the right name, right?) all over it. I didn't plan on windows or anything as I don't have any tools, just a saw and hammer, and the top being open would let in plenty of light. It'll be right under a window, opened often in the evenings when they're roosting for fresh air. I don't want it too tall, unless I'm going to put in a door to be able to walk in. I'm 5 nothing and would like to be able to look over the top if possible. Come to think if it, it would be easier with a door for cleaning and playing with the chickens, right?
And I was going to get the supplies tomorrow....I may wait til next week, lol.
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