does the brooder need a cover? If so, what?

[bawkbawk]

Our plywood brooder has an open top and walls about 18 inches high.

Some of our week-old chicks have been looking like they are going to go "over the wall", and a few managed to get to the side and perch on it.

What do folks recommend as a covering? A plain old window screen (looks like it might shade the heat lamp a bit)? hardware cloth?

The brooder is in our garage, so we don't have to worry about predators getting in.

I want them to be able to stretch their little wings without banging their heads on something or getting out of thebrooder and getting cold or lost...

 

[Chris623]

I had some black plastic netting left over from a gardening project. I made a simple frame and stapled the netting to it. I then just put that on top of the tub I was using as a brooder. Scared the dickens out of them every time I took it off and put it back on, but it sure kept the little boogers from "flyin' da coop"!

Only got to use it a few days and then it was evident they were going to get out when I removed the screen to change food or water so I just moved them to the real coop.

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

Yep -

You need a top to keep them safe. They will get out and may not be able to get back in.

For my ten standard chicks that started in the house and then sunroom in HUGE stock tank, I used hardware cloth that I cut to fit and then bent it over the edges.

It was a pain to take off and on but needed something safe to keep the cats and dogs out and the chicks in.

For my three banties in the plywood brooder in the garage, I just used a baby gate because the dogs and cats didn't have access to them.

You'll find lots of ideas in the brooder section of forum.

 

[newchicksnducks]

What to use? What do you have on hand? I had two brooders going for a while in the house. The first one had an old window screen for the top. The other I used scrap wood to make a frame and stapled screening material we had on hand from a repair job to make a homemade screen lid. You really need something though, because it won't be long till they fly out and can't get back in. My current brooder is a screened off section of the coop. I have plywood on top of it as a lid, as the sides are screen and they get plenty of light and ventilation. Have fun with your babies!

 

[goldnchocolate]

Look around your house to see what you can find. This time around I used a few leftover pieces of the white wire shelving that you can buy at the hardware store. They fit just right and were easy to move while I changed the food and water.

 

[popcornpuppy]

We used the window screen. Our other option was a mesh baby gate. Our 2 cats kept trying to get into the brooder (for the warmth, not the chicks) so we went with the window screen because it was stronger than the mesh. As the others have said, it is best to cover.

 

[cmom]

Some people cover their brooder and some don't. I use a wire brooder and have had great luck with it. I have started many chicks in it.

Here is a thread on brooders with tons of pics.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=6233

 

[barred-rocks-rock]

mine jumped 20 inches at week 2

 

[M To The Maxx]

Can we see a picture it might help. Thanks!

 

[write2caroline]

I'd only put one on if I didn't want them to start flying out and to prevent anything else from getting in.

My chicks were flying out of the brooder at 1 1/2 weeks. Everytime I took off the mesh cover out they would come.

Once my cat followed me in but thankfully she was scared by the chicks and ran right back out!

She is my mighty hunter cat too!

Caroline
Jax FL