Large brooder ideas

[Weeg]

I'm currently incubating 15 Serama eggs. 7 of which are under my broody hen who is doing an impeccable job. I have 8 in my incubator, and I believe 3 may be infertile but am not sure. I'll toss eggs on day 12. They're shipped so if I get a 50% hatch rate, (approximately 7 chicks) That'll be great! I really only want a few though, 3-4 would be great considering they came all the way from Florida to Wa in the mail.
If I plan on getting 50%, I'll have about 4 chicks in my brooder. 3-4 under the broody. I've previously used a swimming pool brooder with cardboard cinch down strapped around the edge. I thought it was pretty secure, but a dog found its way into the brooder and got one of the chicks.
I need ideas for a large sturdy brooder. Preferably I'de build a wooden permanent brooder, but our builder is down right now and I'm not sure were I would store the brooder long term.
A friend suggested seeing if any stores had watermelon boxes they need to get rid of, those are supposed to be pretty big. Otherwise, ideas for large sturdy brooders are very welcome. Thank you!

 

[rayrose]

I just got a watermelon box from a grocery store for free.
It's huge and very easy to put together. They disassembled
it for me so I could get in my car. All I plan on doing to it is putting
a net over it, It will be in my attached garage that I can close up
at night, so no predators can get to my chicks. After I'm through with it, I can take it apart and use it again, when ever I need it. Best money I never had to spend.

 

[neo71665]

My brooder is actually a large wire cage I built. Bought the fencing in a roll and used j clips to build it. When they are young I put corrugated plastic (think election signs) sides on it to limit air flow in my shop from cooling them off too much. As they grow I take the sides off and move the whole thing in the coop for the look don't touch method.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I engineered mine on site, and this wasn't the picture that provided inspiration (that, I can no longer locate), but if you already have wire for the walls... Note that the picture below is resource wasteful, and involves terrible corner designs. Use these instead, MUCH superior. Cuts your pipe use in half.

I used 1/2" - in retrospect, that has proven to be a mistake. 3/4" is the minimum I would now consider, for say a 6' x 6' design. Anything larger, and I'd go to 1" PVC with supports on the sides every 3' or so. My goats like to bump mine around, while my chickens like to roost on it, and look down on the baby chicks inside... Regardless of pipe size chosen, prices are comparable - I went with what was in stock. Damn Covid...

 

[Weeg]

I just got a watermelon box from a grocery store for free.
It's huge and very easy to put together. They disassembled
it for me so I could get in my car. All I plan on doing to it is putting
a net over it, It will be in my attached garage that I can close up
at night, so no predators can get to my chicks. After I'm through with it, I can take it apart and use it again, when ever I need it. Best money I never had to spend.

This is my favorite option so far. Its large, easy to store, reusable and free. I'm definitly leaning towards that. Thank you everyone!

 

[neo71665]

Plastic storage totes work well but depending how big one you can find you have to split the batch up or mod totes 2 together.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I use a 27 gal "Commander XXL" tote I bought on special at Lowes for less than 20 bucks. Some plastic netting, secured by clothespins provides the roof. Currently holds 8 chicks. Arguably, I can take them to three weeks in it. The floor measures almost 20" x 30", roughly 4 square feet. Personally, i think it gets cramped week three, but I routinely offer my birds more than the recommended space, so anything is going to "look small" to me.

My grow out pen, since they don't need heat in my climate, is 4.5' by 14.5' - much more than you need.

In between, I have a plastic (as in PVC pipe) and plastic netting cage I made so my babies can get outside time. It measures roughly 4'x6'x4' high and was built on the cheap. I did use 1/2" PVC, which I've come to regret. Will use a larger diameter pipe next time - but it was nothing more than cutting pipes to length, pressing them into the fittings (I didn't solvent weld, friction is sufficient), and zip tieing some netting onto it. A better netting, and it would be reasonably pet proof.

 

[neo71665]

I'm sure normal cardboard could be used for the sides. I just picked up a ton of signs awhile back. Side plus is it's all really easy to clean. I just pressure wash it all when I'm done.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

I've used a black ceramic heat bulb in my shed January/February to offer supplemental heat. That said, i still prefer a heating plate - for reasons of safety and durability. Though it doesn't warm a space, it requires contact. They work in substantially different ways, heat plates and radiant bulbs. The black ceramic heat bulb will radiate some heat - but if you accidentally bump it, or a bird testing its wings does - very good chance you will blister.

 

[3KillerBs]

It was our friends dog that caused the problem, but she's only here occasionally since she lives a couple hours away. Her dog is a rescue mix, definitely has Pit bull in him, and is about the same size as our 70lbs Yellow Lab. He's a really smart dog, and after the incident I did a good stent of training with him and a check chain, and he responded really well. The owners are going to continue his obedience training at home.
Otherwise, it needs to be able to withstand a wide range of different dog breeds. We have a lot of friends with dogs being in the country.

Can you put your brooder inside your run fence?