Brooders

[pueawjapygrta]

what do you all use for home made brooders?

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/poultry/factsheets/5.html

I found this looking around, but for 30 chicks, i'll need several of them, which is going to turn into a hassle for me.

 

[spencereb]

Hello pueawjapygrta,
At the end of your link, a summary reccomends 1 sqft per chick at two months.
So I would get a sheet of plywood (4x8) or 32 sqft. Bunches of cardboard boxes and a couple rolls of duct tape. It would be a simple matter to measure the proper dimensions and periodically adjust the size of your temporary brooder as your chicks grow. All this assuming no predator issues in the home. But then after two months comes the real hassel. Do you have adequate outside facilities for 30 big birds?
Good luck, Spence

 

[ncboman]

I've used plywood as well. I nailed 2x12s around the perimeter for walls. One sheet will work 30 chicks.

 

[urbanagrarian]

I use an Ohio brooder like the one I made below

http://urban-agrarian.blogspot.com/2007/02/mini-ohio-boooder.html

For a draft guard I make a circle out of old plastic baby fence. Then I drape a tarp over the circle add pine shavings and set the brooder in it. When brooding is all finished. I just gather up the tarp and carry out the shavings to the compost pile.

Joan
http://urban-agrarian.blogspot.com/

 

[jaboo81]

built my own