BROODER thread! Post pics of your brooders!

[rockyroo]

all brooders are great well done i have a similar one too the 40lt tub with mesh on top and a 100 wat bulb on top and the temp reads 100 perfect if there too hot they just move a way

 

[rhetoric]

Main brooder... it's a donated rabbit hutch.

 

[zayniegirl04]

I'm wondering if you have to always start out with the heat lamps....even if it's warm out side...with baby chicks?

 

[zatsdeb]

I always start with heat lamps on the babies in the house or at least a 100 watt light bulb. I put a light in the chicken pen (nursery we call it) little house outside.

this is what I used this year, a big produce box from walmart.

 

[JudyMcKinn]

Zaneygirl, the first week baby chicks need 95 degrees, (also at night, remember, when it usually gets cooler than in the daytime) dropping 5 degrees per week after that, until it is as warm at NIGHT as the temp they should be for that number of weeks old they are. If you have them in a brooder or box, with a bulb at one end that furnishes the needed heat, if they get too warm, they can move to the other end of the box--they know how to adjust themselves to the correct heat where they are comfortable, if there is room. Even at a day or so old, they will move where they are comfortable. If they are all huddled under the bulb, you know they need more heat, and if they are as far as they can get from it, you need to drop to a smaller bulb. If they are in a comfortable circle under the bulb, you know they are comfortable.

 

[jgranddoucet]

Thanks, all, for some great ideas. I am a first-time "mama" to 4 barred rock, 4 araucana, 2 red sex-links, and 2 white leghorns. All chicks are currently living in a 31-gal Rubbermaid bucket with a heat lamp and seem happy. But, it seems really cramped to me. Any ideas for the next step up? They are about 10 days old and starting to "fly" around.

PS: I tried to post a picture of the brooder but can't figure out how yet...

 

[morelcabin]

There's a picture of my brooder pen here:
www.morelplace.piczo.com

My babies go straight into the shed...waiting for my chick delivery on Wednesday. This year I am going with barred rocks, black sex links and silkies. The silkies are coming 2nd week of May. I can't wait!

 

[65browneyes]

Here's mine...........

Okay, not 'really', but since this was the only space available with electricity for the heat lamp, it had to do. DH is so pleased........

Here's where they spent their first days......

I've got 3 leghorns, 2 BO and 2 RIR in the guinea pig cage, and 3 Polish in the tote under a black lamp.

Does anybody else use this for bedding? I prefer it over pine shavings. It's much cleaner.......

edited for spelling

 

[chikenlady]

Here are pictures of my current brooder.

I had to get bigger! I went from one of these boxes, to two, then to the larger set-up in my garage!

Lori

 

[pookiethebear]

My brooders are nothing fancy, as this is our first time dealing with chickens and ducks. I used clear totes with shavings in the bottom. We clamped lights to a folding table legs above them. I had just an open tupperware type container for water for the ducks but they kept trying to swim in it so I put in a reg gal waterer. They stay much cleaner now! I think the ducks are making all the stink...dirty birds. They will get to exercise in the kiddy pool of water tonight!