Does anyone have any pics of a dog crate converted into a brooder?

[goldeneggtees]

Hi, I am going to be using my friend's dog crate for my third brooder, I have 8 b/o chicks who are about 4 weeks old now. I just want to get an idea of how to keep the shavings in the crate as there are large areas where it will be kicked out. I was hoping to keep them in my dining room until they go into their coop. The basement is an option but I feel they'll be lonely down there as it's not an area we use very much.

Also, how old should they be until they are ready for their coop? It's still fairly chilly here in the Northeast.

 

[nhnanna]

I dont have any pictures, but I use my dog crates and I line the bottom with cardboard between the cage and the liner. I go about six inches high. It doesn't keep all the shavings in but works pretty well. I just use cardboard boxes. Good luck.

 

[m2wandc]

this link has more pics
https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6233

 

[m2wandc]

just read on a thread that the heat lamp can melt the cord...so make sure to keep the cord OFF the metal heat lamp...just a thought

 

[lceh]

Here's mine:

I used aluminum window screening around the bottom 12" or so, to keep my banty chicks from sneaking out between the bars. If I did it again, I would probably either put the screen on the inside, not the outside; or simply line the sides with cardboard.

I also used 1" x 2"s and 1/4" hardware cloth to make a "floating" wire floor to keep the dust and mess down. Works fine for everyone but my (unexpected) feather-footed D'uccles, who I had to move out to another brooder with aspen shavings for their feet. The tray under my crate pulls out, so I line it with shavings, then just pull it out to clean it and put fresh shavings down.

 

[lovemychicks2much]

heres mine

 

[chick818]

I am new and still learning, but I have them in an dog carrier too. I have a heater in the room itself that keeps the room at about 70ish. They are 4/5 weeks and seem to do fine. I am also having a problem with the shavings I just keep vaccuming up the mess. You could probably put a piece of card board in the front to help keep the shavings inside.

 

[txchickie]

I have the all wire one like pictured above........I zip-tied hardware cloth around all 3 sides, excluding the door (WARNING: NOT, I REPEAT NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS!

) The cloth was exactly as tall as the kennel, so that made it a little better. I still scratched the crap out of myself, and had one heck of a time trying to get the stuff to unroll and lay flat, but anyway......it does work well as a brooder

ETA: I cut pieces of cardboard about 8" tall to fit around the edges of the kennel to keep the shavings in. They still kick them out the front, but it does help keep the mess down.

 

[AHappychick]

 

[txchickie]

Quote:
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You win the "Craftiest Person of the Year" award!!!!!!

That is awesome!