Brooder question

[Ilovechickens2023]

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So I’m thinking about getting that for a brooder. I have a brooder plate and my dad is worried about the house catching on fire with that being plastic and a brooder plate being hot. I don’t know if there is an age restriction or something so hopefully I don’t like kicked off or something. I do all the research for my chickens and other animals. I don’t pay for anything as of yet. I plan on getting a job as I will turn 16 March 2nd. My dad isn’t that educated on animals especially chickens. I have to tell all the time that you don’t need a rooster to get eggs. Could anyone help me with it?

 

[Tonyroo]

Tents are flammable since they are plastic. But the design and shape make it very hard to clean it, especially with a bunch of a baby chicks running around.

I'm about to hatch out some baby chicks in the next couple of days and my go to brooder is always using a cardboard box. It's usually free and can be shaped in any size or height.

 

[Ilovechickens2023]

Ik that overall it’s his decision but our girls are starting to get a little older and he complains about them not laying when it’s bc they are getting a little older. So adding on new chicks would help with egg production. I also know that it can take 6 months for them to start laying. I’m also in charge of if a chicken gets sick or injured then I have to take care of it. It’s also my duty to feed and water them along with letting them out to free range and collecting eggs. I do everything for them except pay for their feed and shavings.

 

[Ilovechickens2023]

Tents are flammable since they are plastic. But the design and shape make it very hard to clean it, especially with a bunch of a baby chicks running around.

I'm about to hatch out some baby chicks in the next couple of days and my go to brooder is always using a cardboard box. It's usually free and can be shaped in any size or height.

Where would I get the cardboard box at. I plan on getting 10 or so, but the number isn’t set yet. Also we have had a couple chickens die so we went from 8 hens to 6 hens now and only getting a couple a week.

 

[Tonyroo]

Not all breeds start to lay at 6 months, there are others that can lay at 3 to 4 months. Do some research if your interested in that.

 

[Iluveggers]

Ik that overall it’s his decision but our girls are starting to get a little older and he complains about them not laying when it’s bc they are getting a little older. So adding on new chicks would help with egg production. I also know that it can take 6 months for them to start laying. I’m also in charge of if a chicken gets sick or injured then I have to take care of it. It’s also my duty to feed and water them along with letting them out to free range and collecting eggs. I do everything for them except pay for their feed and shavings.

You might want to take your age & birthday off the first post (just use the edit feature), young people are definitely allowed but personal info isn’t the best idea online!

How much is that brooder? I have seen people use puppy play yards w heat plates before. My two go-to brooders are watermelon/squash/pumpkin bins (usually free at the grocery store if you can find one), or a two-door dog crate lined a foot at the bottom with cardboard to keep the chicks in. I might be able to find an old pic of the watermelon brooder if you are interested. I cut a drawbridge in the side, and used it to let them crawl in & our when I was sitting there and wanted to hold them or feed them. I threw garden netting over the top and held it with binder clips to keep them from flying out.

 

[Tonyroo]

I find free cardboard boxes on Craigslist > for sale > free, and at supermarket type stores.