Brooder Ideas

[William1hens]

I'm wondering does anybody have any brooder ideas for 15-20 chicks that would last them until they're at least 3 weeks old and would be pernament.I've made them before using cardboard but never lasted after one batch and they were very hard to clean.
Thanks

 

[ChickenCanoe]

You can make a smaller version of the Ohio Brooder.
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/hkmw/downloads/46524.pdf

I made 2 of them. As the chicks grow, put the legs on bricks. Keep adding bricks till they don't need the brooder. Usually that's 2 standard 2 1/2" thick bricks unless it's bitterly cold then they might need a third brick under each leg.
The shavings on top are important to hold the heat in.

One of mine only has one lamp, the larger one has 2 lamps like the original. I like 2 lamps in case one goes out but in a smaller brooder, lower wattages would be necessary.
I prefer ceramic heat emitters so I can provide a dark period at night but you have to feel under the brooder to make sure they're still on since they don't put out light.






If it isn't that cold out, I just hand a heat emitter in the coop and give them lots of cool space.