Brooder size question ~Pics added~

[RubberChickenLubber]

We are building a brooder into the wall of our coop. It's going to have a mesh floor so the litter can fall in with the bedding, and lesson clean up. It's going to be 4 feet wide and 30 inches deep. The top is going to be sloped so the chickens can't roost on it.

So here's my question: If we have the roof 18 inches in the back and slope to 14 inches in the front, will this be tall enough for the chicks until 8 weeks old?

 

[Tuffoldhen]

My thoughts it's cutting it alittle too close...16 or 18 for the front and 22 to 24 for the back if you could..depending on bantams or standards...some tend to grow faster than others.....the 4 ft. by 30" sound good....be careful keeping chicks on wire flooring its hard on their feet.....

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

I rethought it, and we decided on 30 inches in back, and 24 in front. They won't be in there until they are 4 weeks old, they'll be inside until then.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

Thats a very good plan....post pics when you get it done....

Thats on my list for a this summer project... a brooder set into the wall on one side of my pens...Talked about it last year too late so hopefully this summer before I get a good hatching fever again in the dead of winter...

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

Here are the pics. We haven't put the lamp out there yet. It only cost us about $20-$25 to build.

Front

Side

With chicks

My hubby is going to build a small roost in it too.

 

[mhoward92]

I like it- thats a very good idea. I just might copy you

pretty chicks as well.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I like that very much....good job....Thats very close to what I want to do....

 

[silkiechicken]

Within doubt, bigger is always better!

As for wire floor, it may work for lighter breeds... as it is not so good for their feet.

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

We put a red brooder bulb in the brooder last night, and all went well. Only thing is, the coop looked possessed if you looked. It had a red glow.

 

[RubberChickenLubber]

Here's the new indoor brooder for chicks up to 4 weeks