Need help with BIGGER brooder suggestions and pics!!!

[mhoward92]

Ok i already looked at the thread with like 17 pages of brooder pictures. But im at a point with my chickens that they are getting too big for any cardboard box and there is 25 of them! does anyone have any suggestions on brooder sizes or even better pictures of brooders for bigger chicks. that thread was for LITTLE chicks - like under 2 weeks. usually this is not a problem because i hatch about 5 at a time and the boxes work fine but i ordered 25 and they are getting crammed in there and are getting ansy for a bigger place. PLEASE LET ME KNOW ON YOUR SUGGESTIONS OR POST PICTURES OF YOUR BROODERS FOR OLDER CHICKS!!!

-- Thanks for the help

Mitch

 

[arlee453]

I use XXLarge rubbermaid/sterlite plastic storage containers with the center of the lid cut out and replaced with hardware cloth.

I have several of them and as the chicks grow, I just keep splitting them until there are only about 7-8 chicks per brooder.

That's when it's cold out and they can't be brooded outside in my outbuilding. When it's warmer, I just use a 4x10 chainlink kennel lined with chicken wire around the bottom and a couple of heat lamps (if needed) The floor out there is concrete and I just use several inches of pine shavings.

 

[mhoward92]

yea that is a good idea, anyone else?

 

[ebonykawai]

Arlee, I'm going to be doing that, as well. Do you have any problems reintroducing the chicks when it's time for them to move to the coop together? I've been wondering about that.

 

[mhoward92]

Ebony: It shouldent be a problem. I raise two types of chickens egg layers and roaster. i seperate them when they are babies due to food differences. when i introduce them at about 5-7 weeks they do fine. it might be harder if you have roos introducing because they are saying to each other "shes mine!" but most of the time it works out.

 

[ebonykawai]

Great, thanks! Mine probably won't be separated too long. I'm hatching some and getting some from Ideal. They should arrive/hatch at about the same time, but I want to keep the SQ birds (boys and girls) separate from the hatchery ones (all girls) because I have different people getting my extras. I'll probably reintroduce them at about 3 weeks, into one big brooder. That should be OK then, huh? I'm relieved!

 

[mhoward92]

Yup, it should be fine. just moniter them. they might act up at first but they will get used to each other and be fine.

 

[stilwellchick]

You could ask a store like Best Buy or Circuit City if they have any large boxes from appliances or electronics they would give you.

 

[GwenFarms]

I make a oval out of cardboard on our barn floor, I don't buy thoses draft shields. I just break down cardboard boxes and make it using duct tape. I don't know where you are keeping your. Clearly this wouldn't work in the house, unless you put some sort of plastic down first, then your bedding, but if you have a barn, shop, garage, or inclosed coop this works best. This is inexpensive and offers all the room you could ever want. If you need more room as they grow you just add more wall.

 

[chicks rule]

I happened across a large wire w/plastic bottom rabbit cage at the Disabled Veterens store, it is working great. I have 18 chicks in there now and still plenty of room.