Is a small rabbit hutch a good brooder?

[hysop]

I found a small rabbit hutch for $40 in the FB marketplace. Is that price decent for the hutch? And do they work well as brooders? In the past I’ve used a large tin thing, not sure what it’s called, but I wanted to try something different this time around. I’m including a picture of the rabbit hutch I’m considering buying and the tin I have used as a brooder in the past.

The dimensions for the rabbit hutch are 34” in length, 24” in height and 18” in width. (I think)

Update** I ended up buying the rabbit hutch and it worked to keep sick chickens but definitely not practical as a brooder since chicks grow fast and it was pretty tiny. It may work well for the first 3 days and that’s it.

 

[sunshine ducky]

$40 is very good for a rabbit hutch. Considering they are on average about $100-$200. And looking at the picture, that hutch seems structurally sound and big. I say go for it, they are always handy to raise chicks in. I actually raise my baby chicks in a similar hutch but I don't use a heat lamp. I use the brinsea ecoglow chick heater because I feel like that would be safer in a wooden hutch.

 

[hysop]

brinsea ecoglow chick heater

How many chicks fit in there to warm up? I never knew what those were! I’ll try and get one. Thanks for the tip.

 

[sunshine ducky]

the one I have says in the instructions it fits 35 standard breed chicks. And I think that's accurate because I had ten chicks at once and they all had plenty of room under there. I got mine for $70 but there are cheaper ones out there. You can always use the heat lamp on the hutch as well, just make sure it is held up by a clamp.

 

[Curtisclan]

I found a small rabbit hutch for $40 in the FB marketplace. Is that price decent for the hutch? And do they work well as brooders? In the past I’ve used a large tin thing, not sure what it’s called, but I wanted to try something different this time around. I’m including a picture of the rabbit hutch I’m considering buying and the tin I have used as a brooder in the past.

The dimensions for the rabbit hutch are 34” in length, 24” in height and 18” in width. (I think)

It could work. But here’s a couple things to think about.
1 where will you put there heat source
2 does the top lift up? Because you’d need easier access to catching the little ones and also that would make it easier to keep them warm

 

[hysop]

Yes, the heat lamp we have has a clamp. I’ll search out some deals on that special type of heater and maybe it will fit in our budget by the time my chicks hatch. If not, then hopefully by the next set of chicks, whenever that will be.

 

[hysop]

It could work. But here’s a couple things to think about.
1 where will you put there heat source
2 does the top lift up? Because you’d need easier access to catching the little ones and also that would make it easier to keep them warm

Yes, the top is hinged so it opens and closes.
I was thinking of covering the “fence” looking thing overnight and opening it up during the day depending on the weather. I currently have a heat lamp I’ve used on all my past chicks/brooders and it’s worked well for us, but now with the suggestion of the “ brinsea ecoglow chick heater” I may start looking into that.

 

[aart]

the one I have says in the instructions it fits 35 standard breed chicks.

Really?!
What brand and size/model @sunshine ducky ?

 

[sunshine ducky]

Really?!
What brand and size/model @sunshine ducky ?

Sorry for the late reply, I have the EcoGlow Safety 1200.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I was thinking of covering the “fence” looking thing overnight and opening it up during the day depending on the weather. I currently have a heat lamp I’ve used on all my past chicks/brooders and it’s worked well for us, but now with the suggestion of the “ brinsea ecoglow chick heater” I may start looking into that.

The hutch should do fine as a brooder. Doesn't look too dissimilar from my set up: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

Don't need to cover the mesh - that's the best part actually. Even at night. If weather protection is needed you can temporarily lean something like scrap wood to provide protection while allowing for ventilation. The way I got around having to cover my mesh openings against weather 1) I oriented my brooder so that prevailing winds blew against the more solid side of the brooder and 2) I placed the brooder so that my coop served as a windbreak (a fence or other large solid object can so it same).

And a heat plate or heat pad is a better option for this set up than a heat lamp, as it gives your chicks an obvious warm area and cool areas. I would put the heat source on the side where the solid front wall/door is which should help buffer any drafts.