I want to build a brooder.

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

Quote:
i think i will do that ! how much is linoleum?

ADM hotel, i would like dimensions

i am looking to NOt use a plastic bin because i dont think it will work for brooding 8+ chicks for 3 months.

After i broad them im putting them in the coop.. But i have to make sure they are as big as the other 2 chickens i have...

 

[admhotel]

Here are some cut sheets I threw together on photoshop. These are aprox dimensions, and it will depend on the thickness of the wood. I put the wall on the outside of floor and screw into the floor. The top is made from 1x2 boards and I just made the cuts as I was going along. The extention is about 10" tall with 2" down into the brooder to hold it. Linoleum would be a great idea, I plan on going to a flooring store when we get done brooding and see if I can get some scraps to do mine.

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

i dont understand your drawings!! XD

 

[admhotel]

Iheartchicks<3

:

i dont understand your drawings!! XD

They tell you how to cut a 4 foot X 8 foot piece of plywood. The one with the two 2x3 brooders I had Lowes cut for me and I didn't waste any wood!​

 

[Iheartchicks<3:)]

Quote:
They tell you how to cut a 4 foot X 8 foot piece of plywood. The one with the two 2x3 brooders I had Lowes cut for me and I didn't waste any wood!

Oh *confused*

 

[ScissorChick]

Alright, I guess if your going to stick to using a wooden brooder...

Use coroplast for the bottom of the brooder. Cheap & easy.

Buy it at the hardware store, its like a giant sheet of thin-ish plastic.

You mark it, cut it, score it, then fold it to the size of the cage.

Heres a link to it, exept in this link, they're making a guinea pig cage,

but it shows you how to cut & fold the coroplast.

http://www.guineapigcages.com/howto.htm

If you didn't want to use that, you can get some stick on (no glue needed)

cheap tile, and stick it on the bottom of the brooder. However I like the

coroplast idea because you can fold the edges up into 'walls' so no chickie

poo or feed can get pushed down into the corners of the brooder, which by the way,

is SUPER hard to get out. Overall, plastic containers and cardboard boxes are the way to go.

I've went through 3 wooden brooders over 2 years. I dont think i'll ever build wooden brooders again.

Its really a waste of money.

good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[carypatch]

I've used large size plastic dog crates before. They work great. You can hang your light inside and cover outside with a blanket or old rugs to keep heat regular. Never lost one yet this method. 125 watt bulb works just fine inside one. Wouldn't use a 250 watt bulb. Would be too hot. You can pick up used crates off craigslist, clean with Lysol or a good disinfectant, and your good to go.

 

[PepsNick]

Why not use cardboard boxes? You can get huge 8 x 8 ones or so from a furniture store/home depot!


Don't waste your money, please. Cardboard boxes can easily hold that many chicks for that long, and are expandable.


I hate to see people's money wasted on fancy brooders, really.

 

[moetrout]

Look for something like this on Craigslist:

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/for/2219629720.html

This is what I have and it is perfect! I got mine for free, but for $20 it is still well worth it. I made a top using a 2x2 frame covered in hardware clothe. I even recyled some wheels off an old office chair to make it easier to move around if needed. I could post pics if that would help you any.

 

[FutureHomesteader]

From the KING of cheap... I plead with you to go behind any supermaket, walmart, homedepot, minimall, ect and go to the cardboard only dumpster. Then, go to the post office and buy a roll of packing tape for $1.25... instant brooder.