Diy ecoglow chick brooder.

[SnipeEasyC]

First i started with standard 10x20 seed tray. 10 pack is $20 online Cut a slot in one end so i could push the power chord through.

I than took a 10x20 or 9x20 seed heat mat. You can get them for around $13 or you ca get one with a temp controller for $25.

Hot glue or epoxy mat to the inside of seed tray.
This part i havent done yet but will get pics tomorrow after i do it.

Get 4 long bolts with nuts. Glue or epoxy nuts 1 to each corner on the outside of seed tray.

Take bolt and acrew into nut adjusting leg height as needed. Bolt and nut like 6 or 7 inch probably $2 or $3 each.

If you want to make a typical ecoglow you can do so for around $25 for one big enough for 50 chicks.

You can make it even nicer than the brinsea by adding an elctronic thermostat control and making the cost not even $40.

Save your money do some crafting and bam home made ecoglow.

Fiy 2 part plastic epoxy works best.

 

[Spartan22]

Easy for you to say, when your crafty and you have time in your hand.

LOL! I totally agree with you though, I’ve thought of it before but time is my enemy and my friend at the same time. Great job!

 

[Kruchti]

Wow love this idea! How many watts is the heater?

 

[aart]

Have you tested the seed mat with an infrared temp gauge to see what the temp is?
I found them to not get hot enough, BTDT.

Went with a heating pad instead...many people have done this.
Do a search on mama heating pad.

Here's my version:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[SnipeEasyC]

Dont like the heating pad idea as there is just to great a chance for electrical fire. Digital thermo you can adjust from low low temps up to 108. With the seed tray holding the warmth in under the edges.

 

[aart]

Dont like the heating pad idea as there is just to great a chance for electrical fire.

Well, many have used them for about 4 years now and I have yet to hear of any fires. Any electrical connections can be a fire risk.

Digital thermo you can adjust from low low temps up to 108.

That sounds good, is that temp on the surface of the mat?
How did you measure that?
Surface of the heating pads I've used have been 100-120.
Surface of the commercial plate heaters can be higher than that.

With the seed tray holding the warmth in under the edges.

You know the plates work by directly contacting the chicks backs, rather than heating the space below the plate like a lamp would.

I'm curious to hear how this works out, hope you keep us updated here with pics and accurate data.

 

[SnipeEasyC]

Heat pad is same principal as an electric blanket. And they do cause fires.

Yes i know it heats by touching rather than warming the air. But they do put off some warmth and holding that under the tray helps the pad warm easier.

I just finished my new brooders yesterday. Ill have chicks next week. I really hope these work as amazing as they do in my head. But i do have backup plan in case they dont.

My biggest hatred of raising chickens is them dang electric sucking fire hazards we call heat lamps lol.

 

[Mhays]

I just bought these materials with the same thought: how did it wind up working out for you?

 

[aart]

I just bought these materials with the same thought: how did it wind up working out for you?

Id like to know too!

@SnipeEasyC how did it work out?
Also ....
Where in this world are you located?
Climate, and time of year, is almost always a factor.
Please add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!

 

[Mhays]

BTW - we brooded our chicks indoors and it wasn't that cold at night anyway, but this idea worked just fine. I finally just set the mat on the floor for the chicks, folded in half because it's so big (one little guy figured out it was super-cozy inside the fold, lol) I bought a secondhand thermostat to make sure it never got too hot and it did a bang-up job; chicks hardened themselves off just fine.