New brooder built (pic heavy)

[aart]

I'd get a second feeder....and maybe a second plate too.

 

[ColoradoPip]

I'd get a second feeder....and maybe a second plate too.

Ok thanks, wasn't sure about the feeder.

The plate is the premier 1 large 16" x 24", they say for up to 50 chicks. I figure half that number should be ok. Would you still think I need another? I do have a heat lamp if necessary.

 

[aart]

Ok thanks, wasn't sure about the feeder.

The plate is the premier 1 large 16" x 24", they say for up to 50 chicks. I figure half that number should be ok. Would you still think I need another? I do have a heat lamp if necessary.

The population numbers on plates are as bad as the numbers on prefab coops, highly exaggerated.
I know I my 12x24 'plate' held 16 chicks just barely long enough.
You'll have to play it by eye...they can use the top too.
Lamp will be good back up, if it's safe to use where you're brooding.
What's the plan for after 2 weeks?

 

[ColoradoPip]

Ok I knew they were exaggerated, thought I played it safe, LoL!

After 2 weeks, they will go into the outdoor brooder, a section carved out of the trailer coop I'm building. They will still have the plate but I don't want the lamp in there.

 

[aart]

Ok I knew they were exaggerated, thought I played it safe, LoL!

Time will tell, it might be fine.
Just out of curiosity, I'd like to see how your 25 brand new chicks fit under there(how much room to spare).

 

[ColoradoPip]

The chicks shipped and arrived early. Glad I was prepared. They seem happy, healthy, and doing chick things.

If I can't find the other thread discussing waterers, these chicks were using horizontal nipples on day 1. I put the quart waterer in there just in case but I've been watching a lot of them use the nipples. I moved the feeder from where it is in the pic over to the access door. Makes it easier for the chicks to get to the water and food.

 

[Love my chickens 25]

It was supposed to snow this weekend so I built a brooder instead of working on my coop.

The goal was simple, big enough for 25ish chicks for ~2 weeks and it must be modular/movable. My plans are to brood many birds and many types (ducks, quail, maybe others) over time so this should be in use a lot. We will see! I took the idea from here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/the-stowaway-brooder-pic-heavy.1164735/

I'm not nearly as good at building things and wanted something bigger so I made this 4x4, 2' tall brooder using a lot of the pallet wood I have. Thinking it over, the chicken wire and plywood were both free also!

The end result

The base, made from 2x6s with pallet slats around three sides to provide a slot and support for the bottom of the wall.

Legs go in these slots, easy to assemble

Wrapped the bottom board with a tarp to protect it, had these plywood pieces sitting around. I always keep leftover pieces for things like this

The top keeps the walls in place

Here's how it looked when I built it. I used pallet slats on their side to create the wall slots.

I will hinge this so it swings open but don't have any hinges. For now a single screw holds it in. I made it this way for easy cleaning.

Quick and easy access from the front

I used twist ties to attach the upper door to the roof and found the star shaped clip in a drawer.

All that's left is to build the waterers!

I need that brooder

 

[aart]

If I can't find the other thread discussing waterers, these chicks were using horizontal nipples on day 1. I put the quart waterer in there just in case but I've been watching a lot of them use the nipples.

Good to have both...are they using the open waterer too?
If not, dip all their beaks, you don't want dehydration right off the get go.

Good to put feeder on something solid at first, so they don't eat shavings.
I think I showed you my tote lid food/water station?

 

[ColoradoPip]

Good to have both...are they using the open waterer too?
If not, dip all their beaks, you don't want dehydration right off the get go.

They actually arrived yesterday but among everything else and prepping for the snow I didn't have time to post pics. I have a video or two I can post as well.

The very first thing I did when I got them home with them was, one by one, taking them out and dipping their beak into the water, making sure each one swallowed. Most of them took several drinks once the first one went down. It was cool, I've only had a couple of chicks before so having 25 is new!! Dipping their beaks was actually the main reason for the open waterer (ok I've also never used nipples before and was nervous! ).

Good to put feeder on something solid at first, so they don't eat shavings.
I think I showed you my tote lid food/water station?

Yup! I wanted to make a few better feeders but just don't have time. We will see how this goes and if I end up brooding more (or other birds) then I will likely make something similar. Or..maybe even in the next week or two if the weather isn't nice.

 

[ColoradoPip]

I need that brooder

My building skills aren't very good. If I can do it, (almost) anyone can! I say almost because some people simply should never ever touch a power tool for fear they may hurt themselves!!

The hardest part is finding time to get pallets, slowly and patiently take them apart, then searching and searching for someone who posted something that you like and think you can handle.

The chicks seem to like it and it appears big enough to house them for a couple/few weeks before I'm prepared to move them into the new coop.