Nature's Brooder - First version - looking for feedback

[pwiker]

A local coop manufacturer and I have put together a first iteration of a incubator / brooder designed to be moved around regularly. We have dubbed it Nature's Brooder because it is set up to allow you to put a broody hen into the brooder and have her isolated while still giving the new chicks access to the out doors. Our first hatching has been 8 hatched of 8 eggs proving to me that chickens are still the best incubators.

The entire unit is insulated to protect from the sun and cool nights. It also features an integrated feeder and water supply. The water supply is still being finalized, so you won't see it on these images.

This community has been so helpful and insightful that I thought that it might be nice to garner your insight as we iterate through the design, I am requesting feedback regarding the viability of this design and why you would or would not use one.

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

I had a broody duck hatch out eggs today, the best incubator/ brooder of all is the bird itself, I’m still having a duckling hatch every hour under her, we’ll see what we have tomorrow.

 

[lazy gardener]

Biggest down side I see to the multi brooder shown above is the difficulty of catching the hen and or chicks in such an arrangement. i have 2 short tractors, and that is always my biggest issue. You will also need a skirt.

 

[Rmkunk1170]

That looks like an awesome design. I don’t see feeders or a way to move it. Also, how will an automatic watered work with this ?

 

[Rmkunk1170]

I had a broody duck hatch out eggs today, the best incubator/ brooder of all is the bird itself, I’m still having a duckling hatch every hour under her, we’ll see what we have tomorrow. View attachment 1389858View attachment 1389859View attachment 1389860

Seeing life happen naturally is sooo exciting. I’m stoked

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

Biggest down side I see to the multi brooder shown above is the difficulty of catching the hen and or chicks in such an arrangement. i have 2 short tractors, and that is always my biggest issue. You will also need a skirt.

I prefer using these, they’re inexpensive and they can be used throughout the entire process, they’re easy to get into as well if you ever needed to catch the chicks.

 

[pwiker]

You will also need a skirt.

Do you mean a skirt that hangs down and keeps the chicks inside when you move the unit?

 

[Foxslayer16]

Actually the best incubator is a good broody not every one is a good broody. That brooder looks great

 

[pwiker]

I don’t see feeders

You will see a divider between the sections that has an opening. This is where you put the feed. It is accessible by the chickens inside the coop. The water will attach to the screen with an external water supply.

or a way to move it

Moving it requires that you lift the open end and push it around.

 

[lazy gardener]

A skirt, in this case would be attached to the perimeter of the tractor, raised up to move the tractor, then lowered to the ground when the tractor is finished moving. The purpose of the skirt is to keep digging predators out. Without a skirt, your birds are going to be at huge risk of being wiped out by predators.