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BROODER thread! Post pics of your brooders!

hi,
just made this a month or so ago. I started with one of the 4 shelf units from Menards, cost me about $70. Gave the chipboard shelves a good coat of paint.before assembly. When I go out to do chores this afternoon I will take a few pics for you. The cages are fairly easy to sew, the bottom and top are 42 x 45 1/2 inches squares and they are 22 squares tall. Takes me about 3 hours to stitch one up. I cut the door three squares from the bottom and one square from the top, so 17 squares x 15 squares. Then I made the door itself 19 squares x 18 squares. I used that thin paneling joint to line the hole, used wire to make door hinges, just wrapped 3 or four times in three places loosely, spring with hook for latch. Hubby made me some boxes, 1 1/2 inches tall sides for litter trays. I use two 100 watt or smaller bulbs for each shelf, or one per cage. The lights were fashioned out of some 4 ft. flourscents that had bit the dust.The cages take about a little more that 5 foot x 3 foot 1/2 hardware cloth. 5 foot gets you the cage and then you need another 10 or so inches for the door. I used almost all of a 50 foot roll. Thirty chicks fit comfortably for about two weeks, then you need to divide. Oh, and the doors are17 squares high so I can fit one of those mason jar waterers in without having to tip it. Sorry, this post is a follow up on the brooder on page 180.
 
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Seriously love these ideas! I have a coffee table that would be perfect to recycle for this purpose. I get 7 new babies May 5th!
 
This is great I have 2 of those big dog crates I will use them for the next hatch . It beats the plastic tote contraptions I have been using, lids falling off etc. Thanks for the great idea
 
Here is my brooder. A friend gave us a dresser. My kids didn't need it so I reconstituted it for my chicks. I left the bottom drawer in tacked so I could use it for storage. It was a fun project and easy enough to do.
 
I haven't read through all the posting yet and I'm wondering if anyone has tried using recycled watermelon boxes as brooders?
I picked one up when I went to Wal-Mart last week and throught it will probably work out better than the plastic totes I've used the last 3 years. Nice side heights, no corners for anyone to get trapped in, folds down flat for storage when not in use. I typically brood 25 at a time and the plastic totes just aren't big enough for me.
Yes, I have heard of severl folks using the watermelon boxes as brooders and any of the boxes the fruits come in. I think they put plastic on the bottom to protect the cardboard. I think if I had one and can get me some of those stick on tiles from my free cycle groups I would put them on the bottom and part way up the side for protection and it woud last alot longer.
could even cut out some windows so you can see them better and they can see you. just my thoughts
deana
 

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