Cat-Proof Brooder Ideas?

[jossanne]

Quote:
This is exactly what I've got, except I used poultry wire. I've used it as a hospital box for a sick hen, as a brooder for a few chicks (currently has 10 1wk old's), a transport cage for a large goose, and as a temporary guinea pig home. I love it!

I used a drill to cut out holes for the zip ties, and I have it sitting under the weight bar on my sons' weight bench (which is never used). I've got the light hanging over one corner of the tub, and I can roll the bar and wrap the twine around it to raise or lower the light as needed.

 

[Evermore Ranch]

Quote:
When you cut the area out of the lid, do you drill holes in it to be able to attach the zip ties? I'm worried that if I cut a big portion out of the top than they will be able to simply jump on top and collapse the hardware cloth. I've never used hardware cloth, and don't know much about it. Also, do you mount the light on the rubbermaid bin to shine from above or do you mount it on something else? THANKS!

I cut my holes toward the back half of the top and yeah drill holes for the zip ties. don't worry my big ole fat cats sleep on top of mine quite often especially when colder weather. they love the heat. I think i have a picture. let me look

 

[CluckU2]

Quote:
When you cut the area out of the lid, do you drill holes in it to be able to attach the zip ties? I'm worried that if I cut a big portion out of the top than they will be able to simply jump on top and collapse the hardware cloth. I've never used hardware cloth, and don't know much about it. Also, do you mount the light on the rubbermaid bin to shine from above or do you mount it on something else? THANKS!

I cut my holes toward the back half of the top and yeah drill holes for the zip ties. don't worry my big ole fat cats sleep on top of mine quite often especially when colder weather. they love the heat. I think i have a picture. let me look

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/15624_100_2083.jpg

Your "big ole fat cat" looks like a baby compared to my 13-pound rolley-polley and 18-pound muscle monkey! Very cute pic! My concern is the cats possibly laying on an area that might be weaker than I thought. I can imagine the whole thing caving in with my Monkey on top (he's black and white too)!

 

[eponagirl]

I agree that the best thing is a large wire dog crate with hardware cloth zip tied to it (you can even use the plastic hardware cloth and save some $..home depot has it, or plastic poultry fence will work too...just zip tie it well). also I lined the interior with cardboard to help contain the bedding as they grow and start scratching it up. That also helps keep drafts out and paws away for sure. Suggest that you use paper towels for the week, easy to clean up each day and has good grip for their feet. I have 3 aussies (obsessed with the chicks!) and 3 cats and they can't get at the chicks with that set up. (Oh, and if you want to be able to put the heat lamp on top of the brooder, don't cover that portion of the top with the plastic hardware cloth to avoid it burning...the cats stay away from the heat lamp.)

Also, you can make perches with 1x2 lengths of wood...the fit snugly in between the wires of the crate and then your chicks will have places to hop onto (they love that)

Here are some pics: The first two are before I added the hardware cloth:

 

[Yardbirds286]

Large dog crate + hardware cloth = no kitty problems.

 

[Evermore Ranch]

the plastic brooders i have used for years. I have 8 cats and often would find 2 on top of brooders. Now that we have brooder house and they are no longer in my livingroom I do not worry with the cats getting near them.