In the early part of the season we incubate because we are shipping alot of eggs so we keep them picked up so the hens don't go broody but later on when it's to hot to ship eggs we will let them sit. All of our breeder turkeys come from hen set eggs. we think it makes for stronger overall turkeys. Our brooder boxes start at about 2 foot by 4 foot with about 2 foot sides for first hatched, the next box is 2' x about 6'. We use pine shavings in them. When they outgrow them they move to the brooder barn and the boxes are 5 foot square. In those we use sand for litter, the best thing about that is you can scoop it like cat litter and any spilled water sinks right in. Once they move outside that pen is covered.
3 of the brooders in the barn have doors for access but with them being covered you still have to bend down and crawl in to clean them. The last one Steve made the entire front comes off. He just took boards and made a channel so the plywood would slide down in. that one is super easy to clean.
Sharon
