LOOKING FOR SUPPLIER OF PORTABLE BROODER HOUSE CAPABLE OF SUPPORTING 300

[centrarchid]

I am trying to find a supplier. If not will build but need to have price estimate on materials first. We have found some designs from university extension publications although none with recently constructed examples. Last unit I used was close to 70 years old.

 

[Free Feather]

300 chicks?!?!
Would something like that be like a gypsy caravan/house, with wheels?

 

[centrarchid]

I am looking for one that slides on runners over the ground. It is not to be moved frequently enough to require wheels.

 

[thomasboyle]

How big is the brooder going to be for 300 chicks? I am guessing at least 4x8? If you are keeping it in a garage, shed or basement, you could build a 4x8 box with 24" sides using 2 1/2 sheet of plywood. I would make a hardware lid that fits inside the box, and place 8 heat lamps on top of the hardware wire. You can vary the height of the lid as the chicks grow, thus raising the heat lamps as they grow older.

If you want a free standing coop that will be outside, I think you are looking at a regular shed. Consider a shed frame kit that makes building the shed much easier. You provide the 2x4's, but all cuts are 90 degrees, no angles. Makes for fast construction.

http://www.amazon.com/Fast-Framer-U...=UTF8&qid=1448763760&sr=1-1&keywords=shed+kit

You could also use a Rubbermaid watering trough or a galvanized steel one. The local farm supply stores use these.

Let us know what you decide to go with.

 

[centrarchid]

Dimensions are to be 10 x 12. I will be moved annually out into a field near a multi-acre set of garden plots where I will be able to tap into existing water and power supplies. Chicks to be contained in it through 5 weeks post-hatch.

 

[thomasboyle]

Yeah, you are looking at a good size shed! You could drag it with a tractor or ATV. Will you have enough power to heat an area this big with heat lamps? A typical house circuit is good for 1800 watts, and heat lamps use up watts quickly.

What are you planning to do with 300 chickens? Did Purdue come a calling?!!

 

[centrarchid]

...

Yeah, you are looking at a good size shed! You could drag it with a tractor or ATV. Will you have enough power to heat an area this big with heat lamps? A typical house circuit is good for 1800 watts, and heat lamps use up watts quickly.

What are you planning to do with 300 chickens? Did Purdue come a calling?!!
[/quote


University resources would be brought to bare on this if funded. Power should not be a major issue as we are well made there. Roughly half of birds would be stocked into a dozen small chicken tractors where diets provided would have some non-nutritive additives incorporated in hopes of improving quality of feces harvested for use as a soil amendment. Birds would represent a heritage breed as would be used for just over two years. Egg production will be monitored although feces of greater value for this.

 

[thomasboyle]

Raising chickens for their poop with eggs on the side. The rest of us do it the other way around! Keep us posted on the study. I used my chicken poop on my vegetable gardens, so if I should be adding something to their diet to make the fertilizer better, let me know. Thanks!

 

[3riverschick]

I am trying to find a supplier. If not will build but need to have price estimate on materials first. We have found some designs from university extension publications although none with recently constructed examples. Last unit I used was close to 70 years old.

http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/home They sell a bunch of clear span buildings and have a clearance section too.
here's one of the clearance pages at their website.
http://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/TopCategoriesDisplay?catalogId=11551

 

[3riverschick]

here's another idea. Scroll down and look at the pasture set up this Vancouver Light Sussex breeder has. She grow out her bird in camping tents. She told me they last about one year before the birds put holes in them. It's working well for her. She raises 100's of chicks each year. I don't know what your predator situation is.
http://truenorthfarm.ca/blog/