Homemade brooder box

[leolass]

Hi all. new to the group and my very first hatching of mixed eggs, d'uccle, silkies and frizzles. Went into the incubator last night so a few weeks to sort something out. What would be the easiest way to make a brooder for them? They will be in the house so do not want something too big n bulky. When they are safe it will go to the garage then into the chook pen. Show me your ideas and what material is safe and what is not. I have some polystyrene foam boxes but I do not see them as an option owing to the fact they may peck at them and get sick.

 

[The Moonshiner]

How many eggs did you set? # of chicks will make a difference.
You mention starting in house then to garage and finally to the pen. One brooder for that long will not equal to not big and bulky.

 

[PeaShack]

I use a clear(ish) plastic storage container with holes drilled out in the lid. Heating plate on one side (with thermometer under so they don’t get too hot or cold). They also need space in the box that isn’t heated (also where food and water go). This is great for up to the first week while they learn how to eat, drink, and thermo-regulate. After that I use a soft dog crate (great ventilation and visualization too) but I keep them in the house until 5-6 weeks). I noticed that in the house, they stop using the heat plates around 4 weeks.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

Here's the Incubators and Brooders forum, so you'd have to scroll past the incubators, but there are lots of ideas in here.

Hubby built me two nice ones. If you're going to be doing this again and again, you might want to consider just building one.

 

[AshVau22]

I really like my kiddy pool brooders. Cheap, super easy to clean, depending on how many chicks I'll either use the larger one or smaller one. When I'm not using them I just stack them inside one another and hang in garage. Cleaning them is my favorite part about them. I just dump the bedding and rinse with the hose. Once chicks get wing feathers I'll put wire around it. Plenty of ventilation.

 

[leolass]

How many eggs did you set? # of chicks will make a difference.
You mention starting in house then to garage and finally to the pen. One brooder for that long will not equal to not big and bulky.

12 eggs. Yes I presume that is how I would do it. I do not want them in the house for too long, so figured a step to the garage and slowly transition them to their pen and outside.

 

[leolass]

I use a clear(ish) plastic storage container with holes drilled out in the lid. Heating plate on one side (with thermometer under so they don’t get too hot or cold). They also need space in the box that isn’t heated (also where food and water go). This is great for up to the first week while they learn how to eat, drink, and thermo-regulate. After that I use a soft dog crate (great ventilation and visualization too) but I keep them in the house until 5-6 weeks). I noticed that in the house, they stop using the heat plates around 4 weeks.

Thank you, I was thinking of those large totes. I have a thermo and humid gauge. Would a heating mat help? I have an old plant heating pad and wondered if that would be OK if it is really cold. We are in sth est Vic, so it does get super cold, even in the house.

 

[leolass]

View attachment 4237131View attachment 4237132View attachment 4237140I really like my kiddy pool brooders. Cheap, super easy to clean, depending on how many chicks I'll either use the larger one or smaller one. When I'm not using them I just stack them inside one another and hang in garage. Cleaning them is my favorite part about them. I just dump the bedding and rinse with the hose. Once chicks get wing feathers I'll put wire around it. Plenty of ventilation.

Oh wow, that is a good idea, I have two down in the garage!