Brooder box

[TinTennessee]

I have a few boxes exactly like that that I was considering for our future chicks.  Can you tell me - do you think I need to put a screen on the top right away?  I mean - they can't jump out or anything, right?  I'm not worried about predators for now since they'll be in the garage for the 6 weeks or so they'll take to grow large enough and feathered enough for outdoors...

Also - since I'm brand new to the forum - I don't know what plans you had for the coop you mentioned...but do you think I'd be able to use the same box as some sort of coop in the future until we could make something more permanent?  I'm thinking if I could cut out some sections like you did and cover it with wire mesh...

Or am I just plain silly?

Either way - thanks!!

~D

I think the small screen is brilliant, because you can put a 100 watt bulb right over the whole, but the rest of the lid helps trap in heat... As they get older a larger screen will be usefull to help cool it down in their...
I think you would want something a littleeee bit sturdier.... I suggest looking into to chicken tractors, for only a few birds....

I agree with highpoint on the screen. However I think with just a few modifications you could also use the box as a temporary coop. If you don't plan to free range the chickens you'll also need to build some type of run. A enclosed area for the birds to be outside usually made from chickenwire.

 

[fmernyer]

Thank you, both!

I would love to allow them to free range...but given the predators I want other options, too. I'm browsing MotherEarthNews for their plans for a lightweight moveable run/coop. This way they could forage safely. A more permanent run depends on what we decide for a permanent coop.

I'm kind of overwhelmed right now - but really - some sturdy wood, some sturdy wire and the right size specs and I shouldn't have to have a degree in engineering or a lottery ticket. Or am I way off base?

Anyway - thank you for the ideas for the box!

 

[highpointfarm]

Thank you, both!

I would love to allow them to free range...but given the predators I want other options, too. I'm browsing MotherEarthNews for their plans for a lightweight moveable run/coop. This way they could forage safely. A more permanent run depends on what we decide for a permanent coop.

I'm kind of overwhelmed right now - but really - some sturdy wood, some sturdy wire and the right size specs and I shouldn't have to have a degree in engineering or a lottery ticket. Or am I way off base?

Anyway - thank you for the ideas for the box!

It sounds like a tractor would be perfect for you =] That is what i use to keep all of my young ones in...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tractor
with a chicken tractor, the chickies can still get fresh grass, bugs, etc, but still be protected from predators....

Hope this helps..

 

[fmernyer]

Yes! Thank you! I was originally thinking this:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/do-it-yourself/portable-chicken-coop-zm0z12amzmat.aspx

If only so that I could move it around by myself. So many options my head is spinning!

Meanwhile - I apologize for hijacking this thread!!

 

[BlazeJester]

I love the tractor option. I built my first, 8'x3' for 3 chickens, out of 2"x4"s and hardware cloth. Hardware cloth is great, 2"x4"s are not. It'll last through the next hundred years, for sure.

The next I built 8'x8' for 6-8 chickens. 2"x3" is made of a much lighter wood and I used zip ties to attach the hardware cloth (WONDERFUL). This one isn't mobile, but it's worked for its purposes here (I'm on a rental property and it's easy to disassemble).

I just built a 6'x4' A-frame for 3 bantams out of some pieces of shipping crate, scrap wood and chicken wire. The chicken wire isn't sturdy enough - something got one of the chicks that stuck its neck out - I wish I had more hardware cloth available. I solved the "nighttime intruder" issue by tarping and boarding the sides of the A-frame at night. This also helps keep the heat in, as the chicks are 4-5 weeks and still on a heat lamp because it's in the 40s at night.

My point is, anything will work for the chickens, it's just a matter of learning what works best for you. I wish my immobile coop was taller so I could walk in and clean it, I wish the first one was lighter so it could move more easily, and I wish I had different materials for the A-frame... but I get better and better at it each time.

And it doesn't take an engineering degree... but it does help to have one

Thank you, both!

I would love to allow them to free range...but given the predators I want other options, too. I'm browsing MotherEarthNews for their plans for a lightweight moveable run/coop. This way they could forage safely. A more permanent run depends on what we decide for a permanent coop.

I'm kind of overwhelmed right now - but really - some sturdy wood, some sturdy wire and the right size specs and I shouldn't have to have a degree in engineering or a lottery ticket. Or am I way off base?

Anyway - thank you for the ideas for the box!

 

[highpointfarm]