Need bigger brooder

[Ccort]

This is what I do. It works out great and is very economical.
You just cut a large section out of the center of the lid. You can either use zip ties or duct tape to hold down the hardware cloth. If you using zip ties you have to pierce little holes in the lid.

I dont think a tote would be much bigger than the crate I have though. I have 9 chickens.

 

[Ccort]

I see you live in Kentucky? Does the bottom come out of your dog crate? Is it the wire kind with a solid removable bottom? I'm brewing something in my mind..and are you northern or southern KY? I'm north east TN..it is gonna be 70s today most of my guys will be outside..
Edit..all the little jerks will be outside..lol

I am in Kentucky! The bottom does not come out.

I just came home from work and so they're outside now. The weather seems to finally be mellowing out here. I'm trying to finish the coop and run though too.

 

[Ccort]

I dont think a tote would be much bigger than the crate I have though. I have 9 chickens.

Then again maybe I could combine two totes.

 

[samanthaoverton]

I am in Kentucky! The bottom does not come out.

I just came home from work and so they're outside now. The weather seems to finally be mellowing out here. I'm trying to finish the coop and run though too.

Ahh defeats my idea..was thinking taking the bottom off and sticking them under it(the wire part) in the grass and moving the cage around. I did this with a bunny cage..

 

[Justso]

I dont think a tote would be much bigger than the crate I have though. I have 9 chickens.

Perhaps not, I use a bag 45 gallon one though
https://www.meijer.com/shopping/product/sterilite-45-gallon-wheeled-latch-tote-gray/7314909282.html

As an alternative you can build a nice temporary hoop coop. Just two by fours, narrow PVC and hardware cloth. It's easy to add purchase and hang feeders. And you can close off one side with a tarp. I used to this with some broilers I had a couple years ago

 

[Ccort]

Ahh defeats my idea..was thinking taking the bottom off and sticking them under it(the wire part) in the grass and moving the cage around. I did this with a bunny cage.

Perhaps not, I use a bag 45 gallon one though
https://www.meijer.com/shopping/product/sterilite-45-gallon-wheeled-latch-tote-gray/7314909282.html

As an alternative you can build a nice temporary hoop coop. Just two by fours, narrow PVC and hardware cloth. It's easy to add purchase and hang feeders. And you can close off one side with a tarp. I used to this with some broilers I had a couple years ago

Happy to have a photo of the hoop coop?
I dont think my tent is going to work. Even after washing it, it smells like mildew.

 

[Justso]

Happy to have a photo of the hoop coop?
I dont think my tent is going to work. Even after washing it, it smells like mildew.

Well they're broken down and stored in the garage. But I needed something very simple so literally I build a 4' square out of two-by-fours, created two arches of PVC by going corner to corner and screwing in, and zip-tied hardware cloth to everything. I also had a skirt of hardware cloth at the bottom coming out about 6 in to help prevent predators. You can also use cattle panels to create an arch instead of pvc.
If you're going to do this, Google and zip ties will be your friend. It's up to you how fancy you want to get.
I suggest browsing the Articles here on byc.
Or you may want to look online.
Here's something to get you started
https://cs-tf.com/pvc-chicken-coop/
If you end up making something you like, share it on byc!