Brooding in a Playpen

[jvp0719]

Can I brood my chickens in a child's old Playpen? It seems like a good idea in theory, but wanted to run the questions my the members here.

 

[bethgranberg]

Hello I have always used one of those huge watermellon boxes from the grocery store, I would think it would be ok just make sure there is no open netting they could possibly get there head caught in or a nail snagged on.

 

[mmktdox]

I always brood my chicks in a playpen and haven't had any problems. Instead of using the mattress/pad that comes with the playpen I cut a sheet of plywood to fit the bottom. I found it more sturdy for the chicks and also the waterer and feeders were more sturdy. I also have always used pine shaving in there, paper towels over top for the first few days until they learn the difference between feed and shavings. I hang the head lamp above them and if the area is drafty I use old sheets hung over the sides of the playpen to cut down on drafts. It's not pretty but it works very well!

 

[mmktdox]

I always brood my chicks in a playpen and haven't had any problems. Instead of using the mattress/pad that comes with the playpen I cut a sheet of plywood to fit the bottom. I found it more sturdy for the chicks and also the waterer and feeders were more sturdy. I also have always used pine shaving in there, paper towels over top for the first few days until they learn the difference between feed and shavings. I hang the head lamp above them and if the area is drafty I use old sheets hung over the sides of the playpen to cut down on drafts. It's not pretty but it works very well!

Sorry it's a heat lamp, not a head lamp!

 

[Habibs Hens]

I brooded ducks in one with a stick over the top to hang the lamp

Works a charm

I even left it in the backyard covered in tarp an they stayed out doors from 1 week old

Only issue I found was hosing it down was a nightmare


Sent from my iPhone 4 using Tapatalk