brooder plans

[crazzzymike13]

I have some brabanter chicks coming in through the mail on the 18th. I need a brooder I've seen some rabbit hutches that are off the ground and they look nice. Problem is I'm not all that great at building stuff from the top of my head. I need some free plans on how to build an easy one. If anyone can help me out I would sure appreciate it. Thank you!

Mike, The Rooster Man

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Whatever you build, it won't be big enough. I start out with a very large cardboard box. In 2 weeks the chicks are always coming out of it. I then switch to plywood panels and 2 weeks later again need something more so I have decided to make a constantly changing brooder but haven't gotten that far.
This last time I raised chicks I started them in a sheep water tank. Again, in 2 wks the buggers were flying out. I feel they need lots of room to fly and expand so I never cover one but I will on my expandable brooder. It will probably be 6' tall.
I normally get 40 or more chicks at a time so maybe you can get a large plastic tub to start with if you don't have too many coming. There are so many different ideas here on BYC! There should be a brooder thread somewhere on here.

 

[RHewitt]

Look through some back issues of Backyard Poultry magazine on there website. I remember seeing an article with brooder plans and advice. I use a plywood box I build that is 4 x2 feet with 2 ft high sides. One 4 x8 sheet of 3/4 inch plywood will build it. It is basically shaped like a shoe box. You can screw it together since the wood is 3/4 inches thick and it will last a long time. I used two hinges and attached the top. I also cut out a viewing window and and drilled some venatalation holes around the top. I place the heat lamp clamped to a 2"x2" brace at one end and being 4 feet long allows the chicks to move away from the light if it get's too hot. It has worked good for me and I have had 25 chicks in it many times. Once they are fully feathered I move them to a bigger pen that is 4 feet by 8 feet so the can enjoy flexing their wings an running some. They will ultimately end up in the big coop with other adult chickens.