Cardboard box brooders?

[NancyDz]

I too used a cardboard box for first few weeks then used a plastic baby pool with a cardboard ring sitting on the inside edge and a net top. I used shavings with newspaper
in the boxes and in the pool, just lined with a thick shavings. Walmart should start having the
little pools anytime now. If you have a lot of chicks they'd be good from Day 1 too... I just found it too big at first since I only had 6 chicks. They loved it when they got bigger though!
I've heard of people using wire with the pools too instead of cardboard sides.


Nancy

 

[SewingDiva]

Quote:
Yeah, I guess I will eventually have to use a watermelon box. When will my grocery store in MA have them?

Costco will give them to you free. That's where we got ours.

 

[wings]

Thanks for the pictures, SewingDiva!

 

[wings]

Quote:
Yeah, I guess I will eventually have to use a watermelon box. When will my grocery store in MA have them?

Costco will give them to you free. That's where we got ours.

I noticed you are south of Boston. Which Costco do you go to?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

I use a large cardboard box for the first 2-4 weeks. Then I move them to an old "rabbit" cage that is made with 1/4" hardwire cloth.

 

[echlfan]

Quote:
That is where I got mine. All I did was ask DH to bring one home since he works there. I also got some of the cardboard slips between the TP.

 

[wings]

Thanks, everyone! I guess I'll start with cardboard boxes and then move on to watermelon crates.

 

[Zenbirder]

I have my 25 new chicks in a refrigerator box. I went to the Sears store on the day they said they got shipments and they were happy to give it to me. Last time I used two recliner chair boxes taped together from the furniture store. We had to do a bit of cut/duct tape with both set ups, but it works fine.

 

[Suburban chick farmer 09]

I wish I would have used a cardboard box instead of building one that is now to small.

 

[sires6]

Mother Earth News has a really great HOw To on making a brooder with two or three boxes.

Check here: http://www.grit.com/Chickens/Make-a-Chicken-Brooder-Out-of-Cardboard-Boxes.aspx?utm_content=GRT+eNEWS+09.25.09&utm_campaign=E-+Newsletters&utm_source=iPost&utm_medium=email

Pretty cool little idea with a heat lamp bar.

I'm making mine now for the chicks that come next week.