Need a bigger brooder, what would work?

[Vickilynn45]

My six 3 week old chicks are in a 50 gal. rubbermaid container but it looks like they need more room now. Do I need to find a galvanized stock tank until their run and coop is finished, or are there other ideas? I keep the brooder in my house and have enough room for something bigger till they are ready- and we are ready- for them to go out.

 

[Fred's Hens]

With May upon us, the chicks could be in your garage, outbuilding, or in the coop itself. Most places in the US are approaching very mild temperatures. We never brood in the house. I understand people like to watch them, but now that they are growing, the dust they create and the wild activity that most chicks get involved in requires lots of space for them run, jump and stretch their wings.

Any huge container works. Super large appliance box, etc. I always just use my utility trailer.

Here's to hoping you get your coop done quick, quick, quick. The chicks grow FAST.

 

[PolloLocal]

That is a GREAT idea!

I just got my day old chicks yesterday, and they too are in a 50 gallon rubbermaid, and I too was wondering what to do at the three week mark!

Excellent!

 

[Vickilynn45]

Thanks! We are hoping our coop will be close to finished this weekend. My mother-in-law was life-flighted out last week and almost passed away, so it's been so awful crazy around here! I was worried about putting their brooder out in our garage because our night temps have been in the 20's- we're going through another cold spell.

 

[speedy2020]

My six 3 week old chicks are in a 50 gal. rubbermaid container but it looks like they need more room now. Do I need to find a galvanized stock tank until their run and coop is finished, or are there other ideas? I keep the brooder in my house and have enough room for something bigger till they are ready- and we are ready- for them to go out.

If the weather is warm and they are full feather, just move them outside. I put my out at 5.5 weeks and they are doing just fine in the last 2 weeks. The low/high temperature here 40F at night and 74F during the day. You could add heat lamp if need. I've been.using a big card board box and it hold the temperature inside pretty well. If you want a photo, let me know.,

 

[Tigertrea]

There is a whole brooder thread with lots of ideas. I am using a 20yr old play pen that is 4'X4' square for my 11 chicks that are 2 weeks old right now. I think it will do them until they are 4-5 weeks and I am ready to put them outside. (They will be tight I think that last week or 2 though)

 

[gracejr]

This is what mine are in right now. It may be ugly, but it works and it was free. (Materials we already had) It's built from those metal grids you can use to make storage cubbies. Measures 4'x3'x28" They'll be in this until they go outside. (Heat lamp was only temporarily off while I found a new bulb - previous bulb broke)

 

[RonC]

My 6 were in a 2x4 brooder till they were 4 weeks old. They didn't stay near the light after about the 3rd week.At that point the outside temps were about 80 and nights were mid 50's. Between the noise and dust they got booted to the coop.

 

[Dutchess]

I made a brooder for when my 27 chicks got to be too big for the 2.5' x 3' brooder. I made it out of PVC piping and hardware cloth. It's over 5' x 5' and at two weeks they are already in it. They love it and I believe it will take care of them until I can get them out to the coop after feathering. I will post a picture later tonight if you would like. It wasn't too expensive and it can be taken apart after if needed. I have mine in my basement so I will probably just leave it there. It really does work great! Good luck with your new babies!!!

 

[Loki0]

I've heard people on here making brooders out of cardboard melon containers from the supermarket. They say to go to your supermarket and ask if you can have one of their large melon shipping boxes. They might look at you strange, but they're free.