Heating Pad in Dog Crate Brooder

[cjschulz]

We used bicycle water bottles and the holders that attach to the bike frame. We screwed the holder into a small piece of wood, sandwiching the dog crate between to hold it in place. As the chicks grew, we raised it up. We put a nipple in the bottom of the water bottle and pulled the top "human nipple" open to prevent a vacuum. We showed our little girls where the water is and they immediately became pros.

 

[aart]

This is our first "go" with chicks. After many hours of researching brooder ideas, we decided to use the dog crate and heating pad concept. We brought our little girls home yesterday. They love their new home!!!
I placed the heating pad on a cooling rack and covered it with an old towel covered with Press N Seal. I suspended it in the corner (for stability) with chains and key rings and small carabiners. Adjusting the height is so easy.

We used bicycle water bottles and the holders that attach to the bike frame. We screwed the holder into a small piece of wood, sandwiching the dog crate between to hold it in place. As the chicks grew, we raised it up. We put a nipple in the bottom of the water bottle and pulled the top "human nipple" open to prevent a vacuum. We showed our little girls where the water is and they immediately became pros.

Great idea! Was wanting some but my biking days are long gone along with all the accessories.

 

[PNW-Rose]

Thank you for sharing--this is so helpful, especially the photos! Did you have any issues with just the cardboard around the sides with the chicks squeezing into any little gaps?

 

[aart]

Thank you for sharing--this is so helpful, especially the photos! Did you have any issues with just the cardboard around the sides with the chicks squeezing into any little gaps?

@PNW-Rose this is an old thread, and @cjschulz hasn't been around for a few years,
so doubtful you'll get an answer.

 

[frogygirl40]

This is our first "go" with chicks. After many hours of researching brooder ideas, we decided to use the dog crate and heating pad concept. We brought our little girls home yesterday. They love their new home!!!
I placed the heating pad on a cooling rack and covered it with an old towel covered with Press N Seal. I suspended it in the corner (for stability) with chains and key rings and small carabiners. Adjusting the height is so easy.

This is a great idea!

 

[Rockymtn65]

After about 3 weeks, we needed to give the girls a little more space. Luckily we had another dog crate to connect to the brooder. We made a "T" by opening one side door of the brooder to the end door of the additional. We wired the two together and it worked great!

A few days ago, at 6 weeks old, we moved the girls outside to their coop.

I will definitely be using the same brooder set up for our next batch of chicks. It worked like a charm!

I realize this is an old thread but I am hoping you’re still out there somewhere! Can you tell me about your water bottle set up please?

 

[aart]

I realize this is an old thread but I am hoping you’re still out there somewhere! Can you tell me about your water bottle set up please?

They haven't been here since 2018, but the water bottles are described in post #11:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/heating-pad-in-dog-crate-brooder.1155629/post-18342113