Built a Brooder

[bsruther]

We've been keeping our chicks in a large plastic bin since we got them, a little over a week ago. It was pretty tight in there with their food and water and they getting shavings and poop in their food and water as well. I threw a brooder together from scrap wood today, to keep them in until they're ready for the coop. It's about 3'X4' and 30" high. It didn't take long after I put them in there to start running and jumping around, investigating. They seem to like it a lot.
What I'm wondering is will this be big enough for the 6 of them until they are ready for the coop?

 

[Dogfish]

Looks perfect for the job.

 

[enggass]

I need to build a brooder as well... Could you please post more pix showing how you constructed it???
Thanks,
Steve

 

[bsruther]

It would probably be easier to tell you how I made it Steve, there's not much to it.
Cut your side and end pieces to the size you want.
Use 2X2s and cut 8 pieces 4-6 inches to connect corners.
For the bottom you'll need 4 pieces of 2X2. 2 pieces about 2' long to connect sides. 2 pieces 1' long to connect ends.
Connect sides to ends using 2-2X2s at each corner.
Once sides are assembled, measure bottom opening, cut to size and attach 2X2s to bottom piece.
Lay the bottom flat on the floor and slide the assembled box down over it and attach.

That's pretty much it. It helps if you have some good quick clamps to hold the 2X2s in place while you fasten them.
I used a brad nailer to attach the 2X2s, then I used decking screws to hold them tight.

Use 2X2s along the inside top edge if you want to partially enclose the top and for a feed/water hanger.

I just used scrap, but if you have plenty of 2X2s, you can just make them the full length of each corner.