Brooder box roof?

[missmychicks]

We have a brooder box that we usually keep inside for a while until it warms up, but this year we are getting chicks next week so we will be able to place it directly in the run ( with a brooder plate for warmth after keeping in the shed for a couple of days to keep a close eye on them, check for pasty butt etc). It is basically a large wooden box with open roof and bottom with large areas of hardware cloth so the chickens can get used to each other. What can we use as a roof for the box so that the other chickens don't stand on it and poop? Was thinking of hard ware cloth for good airflow- would the adults stay off of it?

 

[nuthatched]

I have a similar setup, my box has wooden back, side walls and bottom but the top and bottom are hardware cloth.
Mine is under my nest boxes so no one fits on top.

 

[missmychicks]

Looks a lot like ours, but no nesting boxes to protect the top of ours.

 

[Intuit]

We have a brooder box that we usually keep inside for a while until it warms up, but this year we are getting chicks next week so we will be able to place it directly in the run ( with a brooder plate for warmth after keeping in the shed for a couple of days to keep a close eye on them, check for pasty butt etc). It is basically a large wooden box with open roof and bottom with large areas of hardware cloth so the chickens can get used to each other. What can we use as a roof for the box so that the other chickens don't stand on it and poop? Was thinking of hard ware cloth for good airflow- would the adults stay off of it?

As long as the top has a good slant to it that will keep everyone from getting up on it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If rain isn't going to be an issue I just use cardboard. You can compost or toss it after you're done.