I built a $9 trailer brooder/coop (don't tell DH!)

[chickensducks&agoose]

So my birdies are getting too big for their brooder, Giant rubbermaid containers... so... I took DH's trailer (he's overseas) and made some.. adjustments...

VOILA!

It has a tarp over it, to help keep it warm. It's parked under the shed roof, to keep off rain, and the entire top is either wood or hardware cloth. It looks like a giant screen door on top of the trailer... and the top is only held onto the trailer by a series of hook and eyes. I sawed up 4 pieces of wood, and all the rest of it was in DH's wood pile!... so, not counting that stuff (been rained on, beat up, used for target practice etc.), I paid $1 for the hinges (part of the roof is hinged so I can feed and water easily) at the thrift store, and like $8 for the hooks and eyes! Cheap! or is it cheep... anyway, my 30 baby birds are much happier now!!! they all went a little insane when I put them in. There's 2 lights hanging (well secured!) 2 waterers and 2 feeders since 6 of my birds are 3 weeks old, 6 are 2 weeks old, and 18 are 1 week old. The 3 week old Mallards went in there initially, but were really really mean to the 1 week old Dutch bantams.. so they are in solitary now... well, solitary together.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

it's 4 1/2 by 8. and I used a screw gun, a hand saw, and no measuring tape or anything. no plan in place, no directions, just seat 'o my pants! I also screwed some drainage pipe around the flappy end of the trailer, to seal up the gaps without ruining the flappiness.

 

[Three Cedars Silkies]

Great job!!! How are you doing? I know you were having a hard time with his deployment. Hope you are feeling a bit better...you sure are staying busy!!

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I am having a very hard time with him being gone. If he'd been here though, i wouldn't have a trailer/brooder...

 

[Dogfish]

Thanks for lending your husband to the country for a while. We all appreciate it.

Nice job on getting that put together.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

The best thing about it, is that when DH comes home, I just pop off the lid, and other than a few eyebolts and some strange hose screwed to one edge, it's just like it was!

 

[SillyChicken]

Quote:
X2! Thankyou!

 

[newchicksnducks]

Great job! Necessity is the mother of invention Just be sure to have plenty of shavings on the bottom to protect the floor of the trailer - that way hubby will never need to know Prayers being sent that all is well for hubby and you...

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I put a lot of straw on the bottom, might layer some shavings on top to help!

 

[esthermgr]

Good for you! Way to be inventive. I so admire frugal chickenfolk who reuse stuff and think outside the box.

My little bro is Afghanistan- I know the feeling of waiting waiting waiting for them to come home safe. Can't imagine how hard it would be if it was my hubby. Hang in there.