BROODER thread! Post pics of your brooders!

[nccountrygirl]

I would not just throw an adult hen in with them. She is NOT their mommy and she might kill them.

 

[Texas Fluffy Feet]

Here's my brooder made from DD's old playhouse- her idea. She insisted on adding the toys too.

The floor space is roughly 3x3 and it is the new home of 5 little standard cochins. I sure hope they don't outgrow it before DH finishes their big girl house.

 

[Cetawin]

Hello everyone. I bought my girls a 95 Qt plastic tote for their brooder. I have about 2" of pine shavings in the bottom and their red heat bulb suspended above them. They love it because they have plenty of room to move around and can get away from the lamp if they want. They do not like it at 95 degrees...they stay far away from it but at 90 degrees they are loving it...so that is where I am keeping it..90 degrees. The brooder which is in my bathroom, puts them near my bedroom so I could hear them during the night. Plus they love seeing hubby and I walking in there. They all crowded to the side of the tote this morning to watch hubby while he was shaving...totally fascinated by that.

The girls eating off my hand...

 

[ruth]

Hi Cetawin - welcome to BYC. I just wanted to let you know that you'll need to put a piece of screen or chicken wire across the top of that brooder or they will jump out. I used the same box last night in an emergency (had to run out in storm and bring in chicks from pen/coop) - anyway - had two jump out of it. Luckily it was sitting in the tub and they couldn't go anywhere but they were without food and water and the heat light all night. Mine are a week old. I'm guessing they jumped up on those feeders (same ones you have) and then out of box. They can really fly at just a few days old. Nothing to weigh them down.

Anyway - just wanted to let you know so one wouldn't jump out and land on floor.

Enjoy the experience of raising chicks - it's a blast.

 

[brettnreno]

I picked up my chicks last wednesday from the local feed store. They spent the last week in a cardboard box, but I figured the 10 little Buff Orp girls were going to outgrow that pretty fast. I built this last night in 3 hours for about $40. It will double for a broody box for my older hens once the chicks are done with it, so I made the sides, top and bottom with 1/4" hardware cloth. The top is hinged for easy access to the chicks and the end has a hinged door so I can sweep the shavings out to clean it.

Fortunately, my significant other is pretty excited about having chicks so the brooder sits at the end of the couch in the living room. I was worried about drafts at first from the front being open, but we keep the house around 70 and the brooder stays around 80. They sleep about anywhere in the box, and don't seem to be too hot or too cold. That and it makes for entertainment when there isn't anything on the TV.

 

[Cetawin]

Thanks so much Ruth...I will get them covered this weekend. I appreciate the heads up. They are only 2 days old and not jumping very much so by Sun..this will be corrected!

 

[Poultergeist]

Here is my brooder. It's built to house my chick-flock of 25 Light Brahmas and 25 Buff Orpingtons.







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[chickfillhay]

UM....Hey Poultergeist ......WOW!

Wanna come over? Your always invited!!

 

[Yikchick]

Oh, I have learned so much from reading these posts! My first ever batch of babies arrives April 7th and I'm SOOOOOOOOO excited! I don't know how to post a picture yet (new to posting) but my brooder sits on my basement counter and is a 2'x2' wire rabbit hutch with cardboard around the outside to keep Kitty from playing with the chicks. I've got a large wire dog kennel that the ten babies will grow into eventually then a coop being built soon.

My infrared light hangs from the overhead cabinets above the counter top. I haven't turned it on yet but have the thermometer ready and will start playing with light placement when I get back from Spring Break.

I just love this website and all the helpful knowledgeable people who contribute. Keep up the good work.

Sincerely,
Lisa

Brand new to the chicken scene with 5 barred rocks and 5 australorps on the way, 1 naughty beagle, 1 snotty cat, a four year old goldfish, 3 teenage kids, and a patient husband who isn't sure about this whole chicken thing...yet!

 

[LynneP]

I'm watching this thread very carefully- how wonderful to see all the working ideas you have put into action!

I have a plexiglass container I'm thinking of using and now I have a visual model of how it might work! Chicks don't arrive until May 16, but if I get it set up sooner, I'll post...