Brooder for 6 chicks - ideas what to use? (NOT cardboard)

[limabean]

I'm sure there's a million threads about this, but I'm not finding them, so here I am.

I will be picking up 6 chicks in the first week of May. I don't have a coop built yet, and though that is coming, I want to make sure I have a brooder big enough to keep them happy for at least a month. I can't think what (that is cheap or free!) to use for that number of chicks - rubbermaid bins and the like just aren't that big. Dog crates are pricey (even used) and have rather large mesh. I don't want to use a cardboard box because I do have cats - I'll be vigilant about keeping the cats away, but just in case, I want something they can't get into easily.


I've heard the 1 square foot per chick rule for once they are more than a couple of weeks. What fits this requirement?

Thanks

 

[pdsavage]

Lots of pics to give you good ideas...

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...m=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&biw=1003&bih=591

 

[limabean]

Thanks! Didn't think to do an image search.

 

[Wnner Wnner Ckn Dnner]

Simple easy brooder...one of the large rubbermaid storage containers from Wal Mart. They work great.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Next question, of course, is the coop. They outgrow the brooder in lightening fashion. 6 weeks flies by!!!!!

 

[limabean]

Quote:
But they are not big enough for six chicks once they are past a couple of weeks old, right?

 

[limabean]

Fred's Hens :

Next question, of course, is the coop. They outgrow the brooder in lightening fashion. 6 weeks flies by!!!!!

So I've heard! A relative is coming to help me build a coop (well, really he'll build it while I stand around uselessly). I really ought to be patient and have that done before getting the chicks, but, well, you know.

I was just looking on the rubbermaid site and see that there are larger bins than I knew of. $$ though. I'm sure I'll come up with something, just seeking ideas!

 

[Fred's Hens]

Scraps of old plywood, make a box. An appliance box is awesome, even though you don't like cardboard, they actually work well and can be made safe.

 

[Nicole01]

Fred's Hens :

Next question, of course, is the coop. They outgrow the brooder in lightening fashion. 6 weeks flies by!!!!!

Yes it does! My older chicks are 4.5 weeks old and my EE is almost fully feathered! Ack! Our coop is only 1/2 finished and we still need to build a chicken run. Yikes! I may have to keep them in the house longer then 6 weeks.​

 

[write2caroline]

I used a huge rubbermaid like tub for my 6 chicks. I also used sand as the medium because it was easy to scoop poop and they could eat it if they wanted and it would not hurt them. I used duck tape to "MacGyver" a 2x2 wooden post on the side and I attached the heat lamp.
When I first got them I used a much smaller bin and as they grew I got a bigger bin then I put them in a coop later.

[/img] This is the smaller of the two.

I have friends who used a galvenized horse trough. They Fly fairly early so do add some wire to the top to keep them in.
Caroline