BROODER thread! Post pics of your brooders!

[JudyMcKinn]

I would suggest that your most important thing would be the thermometer on the floor under the bulb--changed to the opposite end next, to see what the temp is there.
I had a friend new to chicks, who put them in the bathroom in a tote of some sort. I told her she needed a heat bulb over them, but she said I've got the heat in the bathroom turned up, it is terrible in there (about 80 degrees) but the brand new chicks need about 95 degrees, Over them--doesn't make any difference what the temp in the room is, and they all died on her, during the night. Chilled to death.

 

[ChxLadyCass]

First brooder was too small, so I spent today upgrading!
First brooder

New and improved! Just 2 chicks for now, but planning on more next week!

 

[MIFarmer]

Honestly I would rather be to big then to small. The chicks will move if they feel to hit or to cold. Building a brooder "to big" would not be a bad idea. Mine cost about $35 and I feel is a good size and I have 16 stuffed in there. From my observations they tend to sleep under the lamp at night and "run around" during the day. Chicks will tell u how they feel. I am in Michigan so weather swings are huge so I like having them in an area that allows them "fredom".

 

[logs and chicks]

Here is our brooder. It is a 35 gallon rubbermaid tub that cost about 8$ at Walmart. We did have a cover very similar to Jsto's cover a few posts up. We had 7 and it was great and very easy to clean. I kept them in my living room until they were about 5 weeks old, then they moved out into their house with a heat bulb of course.

 

[logs and chicks]

Hello. Did you find adter five weeks there was a lot of
Smell or dust? I plan to keep mine inside as well....but have read they can get very smelly and dusty

 

[HennyB]

I am so excited! New chicken momma soon! I am in the final stretch of building my brooder box. I've never built anything before so I'm pretty happy with how this turned out. I still need to make the lid and get hinges for the front door there so it folds down properly, but wheeeee! Getting closer to the point of happy hens!

For spec purposes, this brooder is 6'x3' and is 2' tall. I have to figure out a proper top still but I think my 6 chicks will have enough room in here until they are coop ready, don't you?

We will use the MHP method and I'm making a chick waterer with nipples for less contamination issues. I will add a feather duster for snuggle time and hang herbs for them to nibble on. (Chick grit isn't medicated is it?) Perhaps a small swing or perch and a huddle house?

Sorry, I'm a little excited!

 

[SnowKnitty]

Lucky chicks!
My brooder is the same size and I'm putting a hinged sheet of plywood on top. I'm using plywood because it's what I have on hand and 6 feet can be unwieldy without a hinge. I started 3 chicks last year in a much, much smaller brooder so I think your 6 will be plenty comfortable. (But next year could be a problem due to chicken math! I have 37 in the bator this time.

)
Chick grit is not medicated. Most people advise you offer it separately (versus sprinkling it o the food). They will peck at and ingest almost anything so be careful what you put within their reach. Please be cautious with supplements like herbs and grass. Even if the herbs you select are supposed to be good for chickens (adults), I'd advise you go easy on offering it to chicks. Introducing it slowly will allow you to monitor the effects on their digestive systems. (And you'll be keeping yours indoors for a bit so the, ahem, "aroma" doesn't need to be amped up.)
While you're building "stuff" and have all the tools out anyway, consider building a dispenser for oyster shell/calcium supplement. Store-bought ones are on the small side. So if you don't have a litter-free area or platform for it, it's easy for the chickens to cover the supplement litter or whatever else. I like the wall-mounted kind because they can't mess in it or scratch litter into it. Obviously, you have some respectable carpentry skills so you can build a better one than you can buy!
Enjoy your new chicks. They're such fun! And when your friends think you talk too much about chickens

, log back on.
No one here thinks it's weird to be excited about chickens.

 

[AcornAcres]

That looks awesome!

 

[AcornAcres]

I'm building my first wooden brooder, and buying some new supplies. The last time I did this was ages ago, and I borrowed everything from a friend. I have a couple questions:
1) I'm trying to decide between the Ecoglow and Premier plate heaters. Have you tried these? What are your experiences with them?
2) What is your favorite food/water set up? I'm using fermented feed as well as grass/veggie clippings.
3) Do you have any tips/tricks on brooding that you'd like to share?

Thank you all for the help!

 

[aart]

I'm building my first wooden brooder, and buying some new supplies. The last time I did this was ages ago, and I borrowed everything from a friend. I have a couple questions:
1) I'm trying to decide between the Ecoglow and Premier plate heaters. Have you tried these? What are your experiences with them?
2) What is your favorite food/water set up? I'm using fermented feed as well as grass/veggie clippings.
3) Do you have any tips/tricks on brooding that you'd like to share?

Thank you all for the help!

Welcome to BYC!

I made my own DIY version of a heat 'plate'...https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate

I swear by Horizontal Nipples, tho it can be tricky to train chicks to use them...https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/2-nipple-quart-water-bottle-holder

..and DIY no waste feeders...https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/aarts-almost-waste-free-funnel-bucket-feeder

Do a search on fermented feed, there's a huge thread about that.