Brooder size

[lazy gardener]

Where will you brood them? What's your general location/climate? Many of us put it in our profile, so it will always be available. Do you have a garage you can brood them in? (not appropriate if car fumes will be present) I brood outdoors. But, when I've brooded in my finished basement or in attached garage in the past, I put down a thick layer of cardboard (for insulation) then a layer of plastic, followed by shavings. As the chicks grow, I simply top off the bedding with more shavings as needed. No need to remove old shavings before adding new shavings, as long as you don't have any water spills. When chicks go out, I then haul the whole brooder/shavings out to the compost pile or chicken run. Using DL and appliance boxes make clean up super easy. Also, no cost involved with the appliance box. And, they are super easy to modify with holes punched in the side to support perches, or dowels to hang feed and water from. Hanging your waterer will also help to prevent water spills.

 

[kcflock]

lAlso, no cost involved with the appliance box. And, they are super easy to modify with holes punched in the side to support perches, or dowels to hang feed and water from. Hanging your waterer will also help to prevent water spills.

(Sorry, not the OP but still curious about this)

Where do you find appliance boxes?

 

[lazy gardener]

I call the Sears appliance department who then puts me in touch with the folks at the warehouse. Any appliance store should be able to hook you up with their appliance warehouse manager. About 2 x /year, I bring back a whole truck load of appliance boxes to use in my garden, orchard, and composting. Boxes range from 3 x 3 to 3 x 8.

 

[lereg]

I' in middle/east Tn and plan on having my brooder in my front porch. The porch has been winterized, by covering the windows with plastic and I insulated the walls, so far, so it is closed in.
I may call an appliance store and ask about boxes. I was thinking if I did build a brooder that while it's not in use, i could just use it for storage.
So many things to think about.
I do plan on using the deep litter method though

 

[Welshies]

I' in middle/east Tn and plan on having my brooder in my front porch. The porch has been winterized, by covering the windows with plastic and I insulated the walls, so far, so it is closed in.
I may call an appliance store and ask about boxes. I was thinking if I did build a brooder that while it's not in use, i could just use it for storage.
So many things to think about.
I do plan on using the deep litter method though

Deep litter method is intended for adult birds, not for small chicks. Chicks need clean dry bedding especially since they are so young.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you're going to build a brooder, you might consider building a tractor that can be used as a brooder this spring, then you can use it as a tractor in the yard when the birds move out of your porch. My first build was a 3 x 6 tractor that worked very well as a brooder. Since then, I've used it as a tractor, rooster jail, broody pen.

 

[Welshies]

Good idea on the tractor. However, keep in mind tractors do NOT replace a coop for the most part. Many people try to use a coop (that wasn't designed for a 24/7 living situation) as a coop. Just a thought

 

[lazy gardener]

Deep litter method is intended for adult birds, not for small chicks. Chicks need clean dry bedding especially since they are so young.

Deep litter works very well for chicks. Studies show that chicks have decreased mortality and improved feed conversion rates when raised on deep litter. Even subsequent broods of chicks who are raised on litter that was used by previous broods have better feed conversion rates and improved viability than the first brood to use the litter. By continuing to repeat the "they say" myths, without any fact to back it up, falsehoods continue.

Broody hatched chicks live on the same litter that Mama and the rest of the flock use.

 

[lereg]

I was thinking about a tractor, but with 14 birds, it'd have to be a large one, wouldn't it. Plus, I have so many trees around, it would be hard to maneuver.

 

[Welshies]

Deep litter works very well for chicks. Studies show that chicks have decreased mortality and improved feed conversion rates when raised on deep litter. Even subsequent broods of chicks who are raised on litter that was used by previous broods have better feed conversion rates and improved viability than the first brood to use the litter. By continuing to repeat the "they say" myths, without any fact to back it up, falsehoods continue.

Broody hatched chicks live on the same litter that Mama and the rest of the flock use.

Hmmm. Never heard this, interesting. And I know, I hatch my chicks only be a broody hen. Do you have sources for those studies? I'd love to look at them.