Finished our brooder with pic

[Kgudie]

Started and finished my brooder today. Took me and the kids about an hour, and they had a blast. It took a while to get the light adjusted to the right height, but it has been holding a steady 97 degrees for the last 6 hours. I still need to work on a feeding and watering systems; but the chicks do not come for another ten days, so I still have time to get that done. Please let me know if you see anything that needs changing. Thanks for all the help I received from this site.

 

[moomee56]

What did you use for your box?

 

[austinandkara]

Looks great

 

[Qi Chicken]

You are going to need a lid!!!

Doesn't take as long as you think as they will fly up to the top of the waterer. I would say you have a week, possibly 2-3 before you need it. I can't really remember now. We used a very long screen from a door or window and put it over ours but it was two fridge boxes put together. So it was a long rectangle. We had two screens. Make sure to put the waterer up on blocks. Patio tiles work great. It looks awesome though! CHicks are so much fun. I am really really missing it this year! My husband said he was a chick widower as I would go in and hold them every night. Enjoy!

 

[Kgudie]

Quote:
I used a box from work that we package customer parts in. It is 48" x 40" and 24" tall. I cut some pieces to put in the corners to keep the little ones from getting squashed.

 

[Kgudie]

Quote:
A lid is next on the list. Tomorrow I am going to my father-in-law's. He used to raise pheasants, and I think he still has some wire I can "borrow". I plan to use some for a lid, and some to build a little platform to try and keep the feed and water cleaner.

 

[CarrieW]

Looks great!!! The only think I would add is some paper towels over the top of the shavings for the first few days. That is only so they don't eat the shavings instead of their food. After 2 or 3 days, they know where their feeders are. Don't be tempted to use newspaper, too slippery. Bargin brand paper towels are cheap and have some traction. And last but not least, enjoy them, they grow up so fast!

 

[EmpressNoId]

Ooh, that looks really great. I am getting ready to build mine. Chicks arrive May 11th. I want to have all the 'bugs' worked out and temps steady before then. How high off the litter floor did you end up hanging your light?

 

[Chick Charm]

good job. The chicks will do just fine. You can certainly brood a few in there.

 

[Kgudie]

Quote:
It is a 250 Watt heat lamp and is about 20" off the litter.