BROODER thread! Post pics of your brooders!

[justin7]

The one I am building is 4 ftx 3x. I am hoping that is big enough as well! Haha. But the bantams and pullets are 3 weeks, and the other 6 we got at an auction but we are assuming they are roughly 3-4 weeks old.

I have no idea how I am going to do the door... Still stumped in that situation. I am going to cut a piece of ply wood in the shape of an "L", and make it another level so they can somewhat Perch on it... I just dont know if I should use a little peice of wood so it's like an actual perch... Or just make another level looking like thing in the brooder. I just don't know, I'm confused about it all. Haha

 

[DreamsInPink]

I have no idea how I am going to do the door... Still stumped in that situation. I am going to cut a piece of ply wood in the shape of an "L", and make it another level so they can somewhat Perch on it... I just dont know if I should use a little peice of wood so it's like an actual perch... Or just make another level looking like thing in the brooder. I just don't know, I'm confused about it all. Haha

I don't have a door on mine, just a lid. With a wooden frame and hardware wire. I kind of wish I had a door in the side as well. It's a bit tall and kind of hard to bend down into to do stuff.... and when I want to catch the chicks to play with them, I'm going to have a hard time if any of them decide to play hard to get. hahaha

As for perches/roosts... I have two branches in mine.... well, pieces of branches. One is about 14 inches long and the other is about 20 inches long. They are about 2" in diameter. They LOVE them. As of now, they are just laying on the floor of the brooder, but I'm going to put them up onto blocks soon... just so they're a little bit higher for them to play on.. and practice roosting.

 

[gremlin]

Here is our brooder, we had plexiglass aroumd the bottom edges to keep heat in, they are two weeks old now so we have taken of most of the panels. We have 32 in this setup and so far they are like a bunch of kids in a romper room.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Wow Gremlin,

That's nice!! How long and wide is it?

 

[gremlin]

2ft wide, 12 feet long, cant keep bedding down in the middle, its there run way, they are run extensions we found on close out at a local ag supply store, we started them in a big orange bin, but quickly realized they were skiddish with us coming at them from above. Since we moved them to the chicky halfway house they have tamed down alot and loom for us when we enter the room. These have panels you can remove on one end to match them up.

 

[DreamsInPink]

Wow, it's a very nice set up. I had mine in a storage tote to start too.. but I found as long as they heard me coming and I didn't just poke my head in on them.... (BOO!) They were ok. lol I also am in the habit of just hanging my head over the brooder so they can look at me.. and also of dangling my hand in there.. so they can peck at me or climb in my hand. I don't want them to fear me. And it'd make me really happy if they even liked me a little.

 

[aart]

Here is our brooder, we had plexiglass aroumd the bottom edges to keep heat in, they are two weeks old now so we have taken of most of the panels. We have 32 in this setup and so far they are like a bunch of kids in a romper room.

@gremlin That is one sweet brooder!
Did you build it or buy it?
Is there access from the ends?
Not sure you can reach from the door to the back corner(which is where they will all run when you go to pick them up haha)

 

[justin7]

A little of progress with the chick brooder. Just need to finish the lid of it tomorrow! Wish I can finish it now but my power tools are a little too loud

I have to figure out something to use for them to perch on. That will be easy though! Just trying to get it enclosed and safe for them to just hang out in. You know, the basics

Also I'm using tarp for the ground to keep the heat in with the cement it'll be sitting on. Plus easy cleaning that way!

 

[justin7]

I couldn't wait! I got the heat lamp and perch installed! Finishing touches tomorrow right after work! So happy for my 18 little feather babies!

 

[rom1136]

cheap, easy to clean stage 1 brooder. these drawers are taken out and cleaned between hatches. birds only stay in for about 2 weeks. we use 60 watt light bulbs for the first 3 days or so, then we found 40 watt bulbs work the best. usually 25 watt bulb in the center drawer since it has the heat from the above and below drawers. no pasty butts here. they go in and outta the light as needed. if the birds get too hot, open the drawer or change the bulb. again where this brooder excels is in clean up. the plastic drawers are not porus so no filth or odor remains once they are cleaned. Hope you find it inspiring!