My Brooder Set Up

[Ms Jellybean]

My brooder is huge! It's 48"x30" and 32.5" high. It's my dog's old kennel. I screened it in so the chicks can't escape. I have a heat plate (from Premier), water bottle (from Premier) and food dish (reamer). And some toys.


I put the spongy shelf liner on the tray to start with and will switch over to chips when they are ready. If the chips get out I will put cardboard between the tray and the cage wire to keep it contained. I'll be adding some stick perches too.

I'm getting 10 bantam chicks on Friday - 5 Delaware and 5 buff cochin.

I'll be using it again for my LF chicks I am getting in April or May (on a waiting list).

 

[Hillgirl]

[COLOR=333333]My brooder is huge! It's 48"x30" and 32.5" high. It's my dog's old kennel. I screened it in so the chicks can't escape. I have a heat plate (from Premier), water bottle (from Premier) and food dish (reamer). And some toys. [/COLOR] I put the spongy shelf liner on the tray to start with and will switch over to chips when they are ready. If the chips get out I will put cardboard between the tray and the cage wire to keep it contained. I'll be adding some stick perches too. I'm getting 10 bantam chicks on Friday - 5 Delaware and 5 buff cochin. I'll be using it again for my LF chicks I am getting in April or May (on a waiting list).

very nice setup! my bunny cage is similar, I decided to set it so door hinge and latch is On Top keeps chicks from running out when I am changing food water bedding etc. I didn't know they like toys!

 

[Ms Jellybean]

very nice setup! my bunny cage is similar, I decided to set it so door hinge and latch is On Top keeps chicks from running out when I am changing food water bedding etc. I didn't know they like toys!

Thanks. Yes, they like toys. Adult chickens do too.

I got this feedback on another site:
I use the same setup and yes, you need cardboard around the edge before you start using bedding. Some will still escape no matter what, mostly at the door. We put cardboard around the inside and zip tied it to the bars.

I guess I will be adding some cardboard very soon.

 

[FrankA]

Looks like a great set-up! Last year I used an old bunny cage. I have 2 4 week olds coming this week. Maybe I'll use the dog cage this time.

 

[Hillgirl]

dog cage seems best way to go... they're going to grow so fast!! dang. [runs off to dig some rocks out of the snow. despretly building predator proof henhouse b4 chicks grow out if the bunny cage] lol ( double checks hibernating bear in the cellar)

 

[Ms Jellybean]

Here it is lined with cardboard. My 10 bantams arrived yesterday afternoon. They are so tiny and the brooder is so huge for them!