Brooder Design

[jthornton]

My first chicks I thought I built a great brooder after looking at designs on the web. Well it was a good design for humans but not for chicks. After loosing my first hens at 4 1/2 months old to a dog (dog didn't make it either) I was very sad for a while but found I could order some more chicks this late in the year from cackel hatcheries right here in Missouri. So I ordered more and when they arrived I looked at the brooder and did some googling... I modified the side of the brooder to have a 1" mesh cover that I could remove and interact with the chicks on their level. At 14 days they are more comfortable with me than the first ones at 4 months!

 

[jthornton]

The old design which was practical for humans only...

JT

 

[jthornton]

The modifications you can see I've opened it up and put a shelf to catch the chicks that jump out.

JT

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Hi, and welcome to byc! I'm sorry about the baby chickens
Those chickens are adorable!
What kind are they?

 

[azygous]

You'll be a great success in Chicken World discovering the secret to tame chickens so quickly.

Next step is to teach them to come to you when you call them. Just close your hand over the grain and call them, using the same words each time. Then open your hand and let them take the treat.

In just a day or two, they will come when they see your closed, upturned hand and you call them. This lasts for the rest of their lives. Makes it easy to call a chicken to you for necessary handling.

 

[jthornton]

Hi, and welcome to byc! I'm sorry about the baby chickens
Those chickens are adorable!
What kind are they?

Hi they are Rhode Island Red females and one Barred Rock male.

JT

 

[jthornton]

You'll be a great success in Chicken World discovering the secret to tame chickens so quickly.

Next step is to teach them to come to you when you call them. Just close your hand over the grain and call them, using the same words each time. Then open your hand and let them take the treat.

In just a day or two, they will come when they see your closed, upturned hand and you call them. This lasts for the rest of their lives. Makes it easy to call a chicken to you for necessary handling.

Wow, thanks for that tip. We will start today as soon as I figure out what words to use.

JT

 

[FrankieDoodle]

Hi they are Rhode Island Red females and one Barred Rock male.

JT

Cool!

 

[Blooie]

You'll be a great success in Chicken World discovering the secret to tame chickens so quickly.

Next step is to teach them to come to you when you call them. Just close your hand over the grain and call them, using the same words each time. Then open your hand and let them take the treat.

In just a day or two, they will come when they see your closed, upturned hand and you call them. This lasts for the rest of their lives. Makes it easy to call a chicken to you for necessary handling.

Listen to the lady...she knowth from whence she speaketh! Knows more about getting friendly chicks than anyone else I can think of!

Nice setup, @jthornton and so glad you shared! Welcome to BYC!

 

[lazy gardener]

The modifications you can see I've opened it up and put a shelf to catch the chicks that jump out.

JT

Such posts should really be censored on BYC. Too much cuteness can lead to cravings for personal chick cuteness.