DIY brooder for 30 chicks?

[The Long Table Farm]

this is what we've used for up to 40 chicks, it's set up to block it off in the middle while they're small and the open up the whole 5x8 brooder once they get big enough. it has a lift off lid with plastic poultry netting to keep everyone inside. we've raised 4 sets of babies in it and it's been great! we use two comfort brooder warmers when they're small, and then typically leave on in unplugged once they start to feather out so they have a place to hide if they want to. we also have only used tractor supply pine shavings for bedding with no issues whatsoever.
welcome and happy chickening!

 

[Iluveggers]

this is what we've used for up to 40 chicks, it's set up to block it off in the middle while they're small and the open up the whole 5x8 brooder once they get big enough. it has a lift off lid with plastic poultry netting to keep everyone inside. we've raised 4 sets of babies in it and it's been great! we use two comfort brooder warmers when they're small, and then typically leave on in unplugged once they start to feather out so they have a place to hide if they want to. we also have only used tractor supply pine shavings for bedding with no issues whatsoever.
welcome and happy chickening!

This is so cool! How long are they ok inside of that?

 

[The Long Table Farm]

This is so cool! How long are they ok inside of that?

we put them in the outside yard once they feather out completely, 6-8 weeks

 

[GambaDawn]

Hi all!

We are nearly finished constructing the 12x8 coop, looking towards completing a 30x20 run, and feel like it’s a good time to think about ordering chicks! We are planning on 30 chicks (assuming some casualties will occur) and I’m trying to find DIY solutions for a brooder (or 2) that will get our chicks from day-old to coop-ready in the next several weeks.

Anyone have ideas, plans, pics for how they did it with about 20-30 chicks?

Thanks in advance!

We made our own from a few pics I found on this site! Good luck!

 

[AutumnSol]

Hi all!

We are nearly finished constructing the 12x8 coop, looking towards completing a 30x20 run, and feel like it’s a good time to think about ordering chicks! We are planning on 30 chicks (assuming some casualties will occur) and I’m trying to find DIY solutions for a brooder (or 2) that will get our chicks from day-old to coop-ready in the next several weeks.

Anyone have ideas, plans, pics for how they did it with about 20-30 chicks?

Thanks in advance!

I have seen galvanized steel stock tanks used as brooders. I have also seen the same size, like 100 gallons, plastic feeders used as brooders. I was trying to find a picture but couldn't. The heat laps are held over the Bins with a broom handle. we picked up our Chicks from a place called Garoppo's in Newfield, NJ. That is how they had their chicks. We only had 7 so we used a 50 gallon tote bin and moved them to a HUGE cardboard box when the little girls started to fly our of the bin. We had to put a screen on top too.

 

[NikksChicks]

Thank you all, again, so much! I ended up building a cardboard coop out of our (4 year old ) moving boxes. We ordered 30 chicks from Ideal (10 varieties, 3 each) last Wednesday and 29 alive ones arrived Friday morning. After a few losses, we’re down to 25 total now. Ideal was fantastic at reimbursement for the 5 we lost within 48 hours. The 25 left are going strong and getting bigger every minute . We have the coop nearly finished (just need to build shutters for the newly made windows) and a run access door. This has been a fun adventure so far, minus the baby chick losses.

 

[Iluveggers]

Make sure to post some baby chick closeups! Gotta love the chick eye candy!

 

[McChooky]

Hi all!

We are nearly finished constructing the 12x8 coop, looking towards completing a 30x20 run, and feel like it’s a good time to think about ordering chicks! We are planning on 30 chicks (assuming some casualties will occur) and I’m trying to find DIY solutions for a brooder (or 2) that will get our chicks from day-old to coop-ready in the next several weeks.

Anyone have ideas, plans, pics for how they did it with about 20-30 chicks?

Thanks in advance!

A big tote flipped upside down makes a great brooder . The chicks can huddle underneath the tote to stay warm or get out from underneath it to cool off. Cut a hole in the bottom of the tote to hang a light thru so the chicks can hover under it the light while huddled under the tote.Use 2 x 2's for legs and attach with screws. The legs will need to be raised as the chicks get bigger (need more head room under the tote)

 

[AutumnSol]

Thank you all, again, so much! I ended up building a cardboard coop out of our (4 year old ) moving boxes. We ordered 30 chicks from Ideal (10 varieties, 3 each) last Wednesday and 29 alive ones arrived Friday morning. After a few losses, we’re down to 25 total now. Ideal was fantastic at reimbursement for the 5 we lost within 48 hours. The 25 left are going strong and getting bigger every minute . We have the coop nearly finished (just need to build shutters for the newly made windows) and a run access door. This has been a fun adventure so far, minus the baby chick losses.

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This is so darn cute! The feather duster is such a great idea!

 

[NikksChicks]

This is so darn cute! The feather duster is such a great idea!

I had read somewhere it gives them a “momma hen” place to rest/hide! I catch them using it pretty frequently