I will be getting some chicks in about 3 weeks, and I need some ideas for brooders! Should I build one? Or i can I use a box? help!
Anything will really work as long as it is large enough for all the babies. Make sure it's large enough that they can move away from the heat lamp if they get too hot. I have used a 55 gallon fish tank in the past. Currently I am using a wooden box that is approx. 7ft long, 3ft wide, and about 4ft deep. (we ordered a part and this is the box that it was shipped in) I use hay or wood chips for bedding. Hope this helps.
I just got 6 peeps today and I'm using a 50 gallon plastic bin from wal-mart. The kind you store stuff in. Seems to be working fine for now. They have plenty of room and the light isn't hot enough to melt it.
I have a 36 inch dog crate I plan to use with the 6 to 8 peeps I get. I will line the walls with probably luon (a very thin plywood that we have tons of here) but I've seen cardboard used as well. It is about 6 square feet in size, so should be plenty of room for the babes for a while. Hopefully they will feather out and be in the coop before they outgrow it.
a cardboard box that something like a refrigerator was shipped in works great. Try to give them 1 sq ft each. Things like aquariums or plastic bins tend to not allow for enough air circulation or enough room for them to get away from the heat if they want. Overhating and dehydration are a real threat to young chicks, especially shipped ones who are already stressed from shipping. Here are some ideas: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6233
I used a 5'x2' clear tote from Wal Mart and built a cover with wood/chicken wire. It worked well for my 11 chicks up until week 3, then I built a bigger brooder. It was easy to clean, you can see through it, and is reusable.
We got a free shipping crate from a local paint and floor store. They were thrilled that we would take it out of their lot. It is about 4 ft by 4 ft and 2+ ft high inside. I did paint it and add wire. It would have been great for the 11 chicks we brought home today except my parents let/encouraged/bought my kids 2 ducklings as well.
I have a stainless steel brooder that was given to me...can you imagine. However, the number of eggs that are in the incubator are too many for the brooder. So, I am going after a wardrobe from the moving company. My ex in laws own it and I am going to call and see if I can get a used one. The cardboard is thick on them so once I put the bedding in it should last me for a while. I plan on separating my chicks anyway so the stainless steel one will get used when I split the chicks up. But, I have been thinking about what I could use and the wardrobe makes sense to me......
I built my own brooder for 6 chicks, it's 4'L x 2'w X 3'h which I hope it will last until they can go in the coop, then I will use it for their nesting boxes.
