BROODER thread! Post pics of your brooders!

[coops gone crazy]

Here is a picture of our new brooder almost complete. Have to get the bottom door done. We will build a temporary short divider wall to keep the new babies (hoping to hatch some on the 29th if all goes well) under the light. We will be putting them in the top level and moving the bigger ones to the bottom. Not sure if we should cover the floor with something? After the chicks get older plan to move them into a chicken tractor and then introduce those we may keep to the coop when they are 10-12 weeks old. Open to suggestions.

 

[shellyga]

Looks good.. I would add some linoleum to the bottom to make clean up easier.. of course under a heavy dose of shavings. I probably would sit the whole brooder on a sheet or shower curtain to keep the dust/shavings down..

Shelly

 

[stone_family3]

I got my brooder set up and I'm doing a test run now with the heat lamp to make sure it's good enough. This is my set up until my husband gets irritated at the chirping and kicks them out of the house and into the garage ^_^ LOL.

I set it up right under our incubator and I've taken over my preschooler's media space.

 

[Nslangton]

I used a clear rubbermaid container as a tabletop brooder. Screwed hardware cloth on top and use a 100 watt reptile heat lamp for the bulb. Been working great can see the chicks up close while sitting at the table. Had a glass of wine there last night. I love seeing the babies so close!!!

 

[mommabice]

Here is ours. I found the "plan" for it in one of my chicken books. Chicks should be here tomorrow. I am covering the pine with brown paper bags for the first day or so. I have newspaper under the shavings to help with changing it. I actually have all the flaps up right now to make it taller and block out more of the drafts. The wall heater behind it is not going to be used...talk about fire hazard, we never use those things...just part of having an old house. I will add some branches after a week or so. I am going to get some screen over it too so we don't have escapees.

But anyway, it is two Uhaul boxes opened up and put together...we are only getting eight babies, so I think this will be more than enough room.

Just an update on this design now that we are using it. It is working great! We had to add another heat lamp at the other end b/c of the drafty coldness of the room we have it in, but the chicks are cozy and happy in their cardboard home. Since we don't plan on brooding any other birds for another year or so, so we didn't want to spend the money on building a brooder when we can put that money towards a super awesome coop.

 

[Apyl]

This is my brooder. We use to have guinea pigs and luckily I thought to keep the cage We did a test run and our kitty approves. Our chicks will be here in about 4 to 5 days. Oh and today I decided to change the water container, I thought the one I had in there is to small so I made a larger one to fit more chicks around. The temp stays at a consistant 92 degrees.

 

[stone_family3]

I think that cat will be a great guardian of the chicks

This is my brooder. We use to have guinea pigs and luckily I thought to keep the cage We did a test run and our kitty approves. Our chicks will be here in about 4 to 5 days. Oh and today I decided to change the water container, I thought the one I had in there is to small so I made a larger one to fit more chicks around. The temp stays at a consistant 92 degrees.

 

[Apyl]

lol yeah I'm hoping he would prefer gaurdian over eating them. He an awesome mouser and squirrel catcher.

I think that cat will be a great guardian of the chicks

 

[stone_family3]

I think as long as that light is on he'll be way too sleepy to mess with them Big sleepy cats are the best

lol yeah I'm hoping he would prefer gaurdian over eating them. He an awesome mouser and squirrel catcher.

 

[kappelmd]

Wow!!!!! This is one long..... thread. There are some real thought provoking ideas on here. It has taken me since last weekend to get through it a little at a time!!! It shows reguardless of budget and construction skill level anyone can raise baby chicks and have them grow up to be healthy and happy.