Old Commercial Brooder parts - where to find?

[Buns]

I purchased an old metal five level brooder like you find in feed stores. Some of the trays and grates are almost rusted through, and I'd like to order new ones. A more urgent need however is the metal hanging troughs used for food and water for each level. It came with none and I need them pretty urgently. I can't find a manufacturer's name on the brooder, but do have measurements for the pieces I need. It is also missing a top which means I can't use the top level until I find one. If nothing else I can have the trays and top custom made, but the hanging feed/water troughs should be available. I just haven't been able to find them in my google searches.

Another question - is it ok to use pine shavings in the trays for these? I would think so, but thought I would ask if there was something better or safer to use.

Thank you for any help!!

 

[FlipFlopFarmer]

I also have one of those old stackable units, so i will tell u what I did. First off, i believe cackle hatchery makes those and sells the trays and stuff, just search hatcheries, and flemming outdoors. Okay, I took some tin flashing, it is sold by the foot or in rolls at hardware stores, some tin snips, and just made my own top for one, the second one, I used fence pickets, and made a top for it and made a hinged lid. I also unstacked the two brooder parts that are 1/2 wrapped in metal and have light sockets, and I put wooden legs on them and have them as two seperate brooders, also, I was missing bottom wire, and side wire panels, so i used pieces of wood that i got from taking freebe pallets apart, and i used those metal roofing screws to hold it all together, oh yea, and that wire mesh as flooring. I am left with large bottom part that is supposed to be divided with a dropping pan. I have the pan, but my "master plan" is to put a wire floor in between them, and just below the wire, I will cut the tops off of two rubbermaid tubs and splice them together with rivets, and angle them so the poop and excess feed falls out the back side of the brooder, also, i left those long feeders off and went with the round waterer and feeder instead.Good Luck!!!!!!

 

[FlipFlopFarmer]

oh, and pine shaving are good for chicks

 

[Buns]

Thank you for your reply.