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

[limabean]

How would I make an appliance box safe? I mean, really I think it would take a long time for my cats to get into one with mesh on the top, and I will be keeping the cats away, but life is busy and accidents happen.

 

[suzeqf]

i use cardboard because it's easier to add onto and mine outgrew their washtub very quickly my next brooder will be made out of plywood panels with drop panels for easy cleaning and feeding and i'll prob have it raised a bit

 

[MydearWatson]

Ive seen small kiddie pools being used with great success, when they get bigger you just use cardboard or chickenwire to build walls. Could you put the babies in a room with a door so you dont have to worry about your cats getting in?

Good luck to you!

 

[TouchO'Lass]

Excellent ideas and great creativity on the sites mentioned! Just a couple more ideas:

1. Try your thrift stores and look behind grocery and department stores. They sometimes get rid of broken display cases that could be re-purposed, just be sure to ask before you snag anything

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2. Got any old screens laying around? Stapled to scraps, you can make lids and windows, just don't use the nylon screening under the heat lamp.
3. New construction sites often have "ends" and scraps they would be happy for you to carry away for them, but of course, ask first.
4. Wooden pallets often have nice planks of wood if you're willing to demo and de-staple 'em. Our lumber yard usually has a pile with a "free" sign for scraps...

My friend just moved and had an old dresser (36"H x 28"Wx16"D) that was headed for the landfill. I turned it on it's side and used parts of the broken drawers to cover what was the bottom and filled in the top and bottom drawer sections. I made a door covered in hardware cloth for the center and cut a hole in what was the side (now the top) for the heat lamp. I added a small loft (15 x 15) about a foot off the floor on one side and made a little ladder out of scraps. It ain't pretty, but they have lots of room for now, and it was mostly free with the scraps I had on hand.

Good Luck!

 

[limabean]

I'm not handy with a hammer & nails AT ALL, but with all these crafty ideas, I will feel like a fool if I go buy a rubbermaid bin!

 

[Steergirl]

Quote:
x2 For 6 chickes the largest you can get will probably last until 1-2 weeks before they go out in the coop.

 

[TouchO'Lass]

Quote:
Ah. Well, there's a glitch...

Okay, gotta think on this. One of the biggest arguements we have at my house is when the DH takes my power tools...

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So, what's your general locale; urban, country, farm community? I'm surrounded by orchards and the easiest thing is an apple crate with a contrived lid (4' X 4' X 2'H). The ladies don't know it yet, but they'll be moving to their crate on the deck next week!

I know you're trying to avoid cardboard, but several people have mentioned those big watermelon boxes from the grocery. They're supported with wood splints and would work really well. Try to avoid an overhead opening as your only means of getting in. My ladies would freak out everytime I took the lid off the plastic bin, but they barely budge when I take the front off their current brooder. Cardboard cuts and duct tape would give you a side opening, no hammer and nails req'd!

You KNOW you'll have to let us know what you come up with

 

[Highlander]

I have used an old baby travel cot/playpen in the past with great success

here is the brooder thread for you to look through - there are only 150 pages or so but you might find something useful!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6233

 

[limabean]

Quote:
Oh I like that! We have one of those! Oh, er, but, my daughter sleeps in it every night.

I wonder if I can find a free or cheap used one though.

 

[Daphne16]

I will be using on of these http://www.amazon.com/North-States-...L78M/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303420438&sr=8-1 when I get my 6 on Saturday. 3 four week olds and 3 eight week olds. I will be putting a piece of old paneling as the bottom (directly on the floor) and 1/2 paneling 1/2 hardware cloth on the top.
I already have it and only ever really used it for around the Christmas tree and to contain a puppy so I think it is a great way to get more use out of it.