I need brooder ideas ....

[WestKnollAmy]

Quote:
I actually took one of my stalls that is 10x14 and cut it in half so I have two 10x7 pens. Unfortunately, I have bad boy cats in the back one and a flock of bantam Cochins in breeding in the front one!

That was supposed to be my grow up pens and I have used them for that but with the concrete block walls it stayed pretty chilly in there even with plywood walls and a heat lamp to make a box. Not to mention the mites just loved the plywood once warm weather got here even though I had DE all in there.

And it worked okay for chicks that were 5-7 weeks old for about 2 weeks then they grew so much that area was too small. Even 25 standard size chicks need elbow room. I can't really put a pen out from that so I could open the door and when I tried to integrate them into the free range flock they were terrorized so that was a no go. The hens were forever in the coop chasing kids around and eating all the grower.
However, if I build all this on the upper end and use that stall I can keep the pen I have out from it and young birds can stay relatively harm free. I will have to work on the fence as the ducks and snow have pulled it down and it is sagging but that is so easy compared to other things that need work around here.

 

[Kate in CT]

I don't raise chicks on any great scale, but I saw a post where someone said the trough (?) used as a brooder got too hot when it was covered. I used an old screen door to cover my last brooder box. It worked out really well. We weighted down the screen because I was paranoid about varmints getting in (when I was a kid we lost chicks to rats-not something I want to experience ever again!) and then, as the chicks got bigger, weighing down the screen kept them from pushing it off. Anyway, just wanted to throw my two cents in . . .

 

[A.T. Hagan]

This is my set-up: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=447204

It's 4ft x 8ft. Yes, it's plywood, but it's painted and lined with builder's plastic. The shavings get changed between batches of chicks. I've done hundred in it over the years.

In fact I'm presently working on a double decker version right now.

 

[WestKnollAmy]

And how long do you keep your chicks in it? By 3 weeks old mine have learned to hop up on the sides of the 6' trough and peck at the insulation on the walls.

I can't really tell from your photos how yours is made.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Not the greatest photo, but it shows a more overall view.

Both sides are hinged so can be opened or closed. The side facing the camera is open so that you can see the interior. The overhead has a cover made of half-inch hardware cloth and 2x2s. When the sides are closed up the birds cannot get out and more importantly predators cannot get in.

The brooder box is made of a sheet of plywood thus the 4x8 dimension. The walls are made two feet high. Corners are made with 2x2s and uses carriage bolts to hold it all together as the original idea was to take it apart so it could be stored in a flat stack when not in use. I rarely do that any more, but that was the idea.

 

[kenh2010]

Just received my first babies on Tuesday! I've been waiting 35 years to get chicks and finally we got our City tp chang their ordinance and allow us to have 6 hens! We obtained some Silver Laced Wyandottes, Golden Sex Links and White Crested Black Polish. I pondered making a brooder for a long time and the one I made has worked out great so I wanted to share it with everyone. I wanted something inexpensive and sturdy and so far it fits the bill. I purchased a sheet of 1/2 inch sheetrock and cut it into 23" strips cross-wise, resulting in four 48"X23" strips. I then duct taped the edges, set them on their sides so that they formed a box, duct taped the corners and then ran duct tape around the top and bottom edges. Nice and sturdy and when I'm done it will be disposable. I won't have to keep a brooder around the house for two years waiting for the next chicks. Anyhow, just an idea for a quick, substantial brooder that's been working great.

I never thought chicks would be as fun as they are. There is no way a person can be stressed while watching 6 little chicks interacting. Hope everyone is having as much fun as us!

Ken

 

[WestKnollAmy]

Photos! I am so visual!

With as many chicks as I hatch every week I think I am going to build one like Nellabean (my dear friend and enabler!) did on the Coop and Run section.
Her cabinet style using plastic bins inside seems like a great start for chicks I hatch every week and then by week 3 or 4 I can move them over to a more open design like I stole from someone in post #22 on here. And from there they can go to the floor where they can venture outside if they want to in the run away from bigger birds.

 

[TigerLilly]

I have an old table the will be going in my future coop. The coop itself will have a dirt floor with sand on top. The table will have wire all the way around with a door in the middle of the long side. Of course there will also be a light permanently attached. Dual usage...the top of the table will serve as an exam table of sorts & shelf. It sounds good in my head!

 

[kuntrygirl]

Quote:
Nadine, can you please, please, please post pic of whatever you build. I am still searching for the perfect LARGE brooder. Thanks a bunch!

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

I use birdcages! Roost built in!