Just thought I'd share my experiences in case someone needs advise on setting up a brooder. I have a store bought brooder I use outside,once the temps are o.k. and the chicks have a good start(a few weeks old if it's warm outside). For right after hatch until they go into the other brooder,I use a plastic tote(I buy Sterlite brand-it's cheaper). I cut out a section of the lid,so I can clip the light to it and regulate the temp. I will drape a thin towel over the opening(lets in air if it is threadbare) if it seems cold. I use a heat lamp with a 60 watt bulb. I line the bottom with newspaper(American classified booklets are free and opened up they are the perfect size) and then put the shop towel grade paper towls on top. To clean,I simply remove the chicks,roll up the newspaper and wipe it out. I then re-line it. I tried the shavings and they were just too messy. They got into the food and the water and made a soggy mess. The towels are cleaner and soft enough. Hope that helps.
I will be getting a few EE the week of 7/21 and have no idea yet how to set up a brooder. Could you post some pictures of your set up? It sounds ideal for what I am needing. THANKS
anyone have any ideas or pictures they could show for what i do once my chicks arrive. also how long do they stay in the brooder?
I leave my chicks inside in a brooder tile they are about 4 wks old. I know alote of people who put them outside earlier, but I don't. I to use the plastic rubbermaid container from walmart. I think it is the 55 gallon. It works really well. I hook my heat lamp to the side of it or I use a little step stool that you would use in the kitchen and I hook it to that. When they are day olds I use old cloths or something to that affect in the bottom of the brooder. I like this because they can't slip and I don't have to worry about them being able to walk. After about a week I put them on pine shavings. Shaving are messy I agree with that, but I like them better than newspaper or paper towels. Once the little chicks are a little taller I put a brick in there to sit the waterer on so that shaving can't get in them. So far I have had great success with the way I do things. I hope this helps!
Hi all, I just read that you could use pine straw as bedding? If possible this would be great because we live on a tree farm! Other than that I like the idea of using the heavy paper towels when there really little for ease of clean up.