Need Brooder Ideas

[SweetLilRachy00]

Ok, since we have 75 chicks coming, I need to get something for a brooder. DH said to find some old baby play yards. Won't there be trouble keeping the heat inside it ?

I suppose I could put fabric around the sides to help hold it in.

Any other ideas other than this? I'm not having ANY luck finding these, cheaply.

I thought about some large boxes. What do you think?

Ideas?

 

[FLchook]

Ive used old playpen beofre, and they work great. Granted in FL, its not hard to get the temp to 90 degrees

I have also used a large washer box, just make sure to line the bottom with a plastic or something. I used the goat or chicken feed bags, and covered with wood chips.

Someone recently posted a pic of a brooder made from a large plastic storage bin. They had cut one side out and put the small wire mess. Then they had a top made of the small wire mess with the heat lamp sitting on top.

Good luck with all those little babies! Most Ive had was 12, and mamma did most of the work hehe.

Shannon

 

[bigzio]

I'm always one who likes to be prepared before starting.

You will need 1/2 sq ft per peep in the beginning, and then more after that, so....we're talking around 40 sq ft minimum in the beginning. A 7X7 brooder will provide 49 sq ft for starters, however you will be out of room shortly.

It is alot easier to have one large brooder, than it is to have to deal with extra set-ups, that need light, water, and feed.

I would have my set-up in place before the peeps arrive, eliminating alot of stress that comes from not being prepared.

I always keep the chicks best interest in mind.

bigzio

 

[willheveland]

i like to use a kidde pool,but you may need a bigger area like a shed floor with bales of hay or straw as a draft shield.probably should have 2 heat lamps for that many chicks. ear plugs too. good luck will

 

[FarmGirl01]

I use an 80 gallon breeder fish tank. The top is made of wire so the lights just sit on top. It worked very well for my 25 chicks for about 3 weeks. They started to grow out of it at that time. But they were broilers.

 

[GrandPooBa]

Old metal closets work to, just remove the doors...

 

[nccountrygirl]

I use 2 very big boxes taped together with a partition in the middle, as they get older I can take the cardboard partition out to give the growing chicks more room.