OSB for brooder?

[OrpDotes]

Hi all,
We have 7 little chicks getting larger by the minute, and they are beginning to get too big for the storage container we have them in right now. So i’ve began to build a 4’ by 4’ brooder for them. However i’ve begun wondering if the osb will be safe for the little guys. I’ll attach a pic of what i’ve got so far below but would gladly replace the osb if you think it’ll harm them. Thanks you so much! God Bless

 

[lazy gardener]

OSB is not the best choice. That being said, my COOP is made of OSB b/c that is what I could afford. use what you have!

 

[lazy gardener]

Bigger issue is chicken wire on the front. That is not predator proof. Where are you going to put this brooder?

 

[OrpDotes]

Bigger issue is chicken wire on the front. That is not predator proof. Where are you going to put this brooder?

This brooder will be kept indoors away from predators. The coop will have much tighter mesh for the wire. Thanks for responding!

 

[blackdog043]

I would make a wire top for light and air. How old are they, are they off heat?

And

 

[OrpDotes]

I would make a wire top for light and air. How old are they, are they off heat?

And

They are not off heat, just a week and a half right now. I was thinking, when we add the mesh to the top of the brooder, we will also create a closable opening for the lamp to go through allowing the lamp to get close enough when they are little. When they are a couple weeks older, we can close the opening and move the brooder outdoors for a couple hours so they can scratch and peck around in the sunlight.

 

[OrpDotes]

I would make a wire top for light and air. How old are they, are they off heat?

And

Also, thanks for the reply!

 

[jthornton]

For week and a half chicks I'd put a smaller mesh so they can't stick their head through and get stuck. I've read of others loosing chicks when they put their head through and get stuck and panic.

Also if you can elevate it so you enter on their level to maintain, the chicks will not be afraid of you like they will when you enter from the top.

JT