Brooder for 20 chicks? Now it has turned to 30!

[Chicken0Boy]

Thanks for the brooder info, but i know what DE meanswhat is it though lol! i guess a should have been clearer!

 

[redturtle]

hey cybercat-good use of chip tubes...never thought of that

i have a kiddie pool too that i use as a brooder...we have chicken wire around the outside also so the dont try to fly out...because they are definitely trying...lol
it is in my hubbys shed so we wrapped the light cord around the beams so we could raise or lower it as need be...
newspaper on the bottom followed by a layer of pine shavings

 

[nlove_3000]

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...authkey=Gv1sRgCNXO6r6T-YCv8wE&feat=directlink

We started out with 14 in this one and there was extra room until they were about 4 weeks old. This one is about 3 1/2'x 3 1/2 ft and about 10 inches tall. We just put the light up in one corner. You can always build it a little bigger. We used scraps from around the garage. I love that the dogs and toddlers can't get into it, but the heat lamp isn't effected by the top being on. The roost is screwed in from the outside. We used a staple gun to wrap the bottom in tarp before we put it together so I could spray it out when cleaning. My suggested modification is that you make both sides open instead of just half. Those little boogers know how to cower in the corner when they want to

 

[cybercat]

Quote:
Yep, I am one of those thinkers on how not too spend money. Why buy feeders and waters for chicks when they out grow them fast and will only be used that one time. The whole brooder cost $15 and that cost covered red bulb,bedding, and the bolts to put it together. That is all we bought besides the chicks that is.

 

[wildorchid053]

de comes in two forms.. one from the ocean and other from fresh water lakes.. it is dried shell creatures ground up... you want the one from the lake which is called food grade.. the one from the ocean is too salty and used for pool filters.. the food grade is edible by people too.. it has sharp microscopic edges and will kill most bug, worm, slugs, etc.. a little goes a long way so use sparingly

 

[lovinlife]

This is my brooder

It's a water trough. I have 19 chicks in it and it is plenty big. I think the trough is 5' long by 2.5' wide. It's a big one and has a bar across the center.

My last brooder was a large cardboard box with chicken wire over the top.

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Change in plans !

I need a brooder for thirty chicks! LOL

How many lights do you think I need to keep it at the same temp? Also how many feeders and waterers? Thanks for helping on the 20 but it has changed to 30 chicks!

 

[lovinlife]

there will always be changes in plans when it comes to chickens!

My one lamp has kept the temp almost too warm. It's a 250watt heat lamp. I've had to take it out from under the chicken wire and it's now mounted about a foot above the coop. The temp is still above 90*. Half of the brooder is not heated and they sleep all over the place, some in the direct light, some in the shade.

I have two gallon waterers and two of the plastic feeders. I fill the feeders once a day. There's still plenty of crumbles in the shavings to keep them very occupied looking for food. The waterers last a couple days. I clean them out daily, though.

 

[Chicken0Boy]

Thanks for the info! How do you think I should build a brooder for 30 chicks? The chicks will be silkies, ameraucana, phoenix, dominique, and d'uccle! Should I seperate the bantams? I am really confused about the brooder part. Any help would be awesome! When they grow up I will only be keeping six lol! Do you think I should pick the 6 chicks when they get here or pick them later when they r grown up? I will be selling the other 24!

 

[triggfamily5]

Quote:
You and my DH must be on the same wave length! That's what he said last night "Let's make it an even 30" I am glad I have 2 lights in mine now..

With my current 24, I have 2 long feeders I fill once a day (they don't empty them yet). When they start to, I will probably upgrade to a regular feeder like I have for my big chickens.

I also run 2 quart jars right now that I empty and fill every night. When they start going through that, I have one more to add to the group. After that comes a 3 or 5 gallon waterer.

I do run 2 lights at varying heights due to varying ages.