Brooder for chicks??

[Kuntry Klucker]

Hi All, I am new to the chicken hobby and am planning on ordering my first shipment of
chicks in the near future. Before I did I wanted to ask a few questions for those out there
who have done this before.

Is there a specific kind of brooder that I need to buy? Or can I be creative and make one out
of some of the things that I have around here?

What are the main things that I need to make sure I include if I make one?

At what age can the chicks go outside to the coops?

Thanks

 

[Tiramisu]

Most people just use rubber maid totes, I did. But any sturdy structure to keep them enclosed in will work.

They should be fine to go out at 6-8 weeks I think.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Okay, thanks! I wanted to make sure that I had to actually buy the
brooder before I did. I was thinking about using a tote as well.

 

[FarmGirl01]

Best brooder in the world. Well for me anyway.

There are always tanks for sale in the paper.

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

That is a really good idea, spacious too. What kind of light are you using for the tank?
how many gallons is it?

 

[FarmGirl01]

About 50 gallons. I use red and clear heat lamps. I also use double snaps to raise and lower the heat lamps as needed. It really works great and its easy to clean with bleach. The top is those metal shelves from the home improvement stores. It sits right on top.

 

[kona silkies]

I'm partial to my huggies box. They started out with one box (costco size) and now I've attached two together so they have more room. I change their pine shavings daily and point the heat bulb to one side- they are so happy! The best part, is I can just keep making the box bigger as needed!

Good luck!

 

[write2caroline]

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I used the plastic tote. I have cats so I added wire to the top, also learned they fly out at week 2.
Caroline

 

[Rachel'sFlock]

We loved our 55 gal. reptile aquarium for the first 4 weeks, but after that, they were too crowded.
It worked great, tho, and we will use it again!

Bright Blessings

 

[Kuntry Klucker]

Wow!! thanks for all the great ideas. Just about anything can be a brooder.
I am most deneftly going to use some of your ideas. I do have two cats,
inside plus two 5 year old boys. So I think something hard with some screen
on top will be what I need to do. Thanks again you all the pics were so
helpful.