Could I use a card board box as a brooder?

[cjwaldon]

I only ever used cardboard boxes. I have not had any issues with excess water since I started using nipple waterers.

 

[stone_family3]

I don't mind if I have to replace the box I was just going to hijack them from recycling dumpster. Though if possible I might hijack my rabbit's cage in the coop and attempt to keep them warm out there.

 

[AlienChick]

I think cardboard boxes are the greatest!

They are readily available and are disposable!

I recently taped three furniture boxes together and made a sort of chickie condo.

 

[Rooster76]

I saw some people who used watermellon boxes from Sams club. You could probablly find something like it at a costco too. You just have to ask if they have any you can take. It seems like it would be about perfect if you can find one somewhere. I like it because it gets rid of the corners that they can get squished in.

 

[stone_family3]

That's a great idea, you could even line the food and water box with plastic or maybe a tub like tray so it's easy for clean up.

I think cardboard boxes are the greatest!

They are readily available and are disposable!

I recently taped three furniture boxes together and made a sort of chickie condo.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I think cardboard boxes are the greatest!

They are readily available and are disposable!

I recently taped three furniture boxes together and made a sort of chickie condo.

There are ROOMS - wow- what cool digs!

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/kathyinmos-brooders

If you scroll down to the bottom she has a nice large brooder box...I had found this awhile ago in the brooder section of coop section on BYC.

 

[BlazeJester]

I use an XL plastic dog crate. It held eight chicks for 7-8 weeks until they had enough feathers to go outside.

 

[donrae]

I always used cardboard boxes until I wound up with a surplus of galvanized steel tubs. They're cheap, easy to dispose of and easy to replace if you need to. Plus, as shown, if you can't find a larg enough box, you can cut holes and tape them together to give more space.

 

[azygous]

Cardboard appliance boxes make very creative brooders. Be sure to spread plastic on the bottom under the wood shavings and then it won't get soggy when there are spills. Secure the heat lamp with at least two different fasteners that aren't of flammable material. (Do not use string. It will catch fire.) As long as the bulb doesn't come into contact with the box, it won't burn.

You can even join two or more boxes together, cutting pass-throughs into the adjoining sides. If you're going to have 50 chicks, you may want to add boxes as they grow. They double in size each week.

Be sure to add playground equipment for them to climb on! Maybe add a tub of sand for them to romp in. Cut some windows covered with plastic in the sides so natural light can brighten their world. I place my boxes on tables so the chicks can see who's attached to the big hands and not be scared of being attacked from above. I suspend the water bottles from sticks slipped through slots near the top of the walls. It's not fancy, but they work great.