outside brooder pen?

[Littlecimarron18]

so as i was sitting here flipping thru the murray mcmurray book. I decided i need a new brooder pen, and
it needs to be outside. i was thinking, keep it off the ground, maybe. and maybe a drop out floor? what do you guys think? the top would prolly open too... and they would have a enclosed pen on nice days? not too sure, my old broody pen is now occupied with more layers = ).

 

[Littlecimarron18]

any ideas?

 

[LoneCowboy]

Pen or coop? I'm thinking coop right? That would be good. Kinda like the 4' x4' coops I build where the top opens and the back drops down. Really easy to clean and deal with the inside stuff.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Here's some pics https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=22193

 

[2dream]

I ask about drop out floors in a previous thread.
Got some interesting responses. All my plans for a chicken castle with a drop out floor are on hold for a few months. We are having to build temporary housing. But I still have plans for the hinged drop floors.
Do a search for drop out floors and you will find the thread.

 

[Littlecimarron18]

that coop looks great! pretty much what i was thinking. how big would i need to make it for eh, 75 chicks up to 2 months old? Ill check out the dropout bottom thread.

 

[LoneCowboy]

Ok, you are talking a brooder brooder coop, I though you wanted it for a broody coop for your broody hen. Now, that's a different story.

I brood 50 chicks at a time in an 8' X 6' coop. You would have to design yours half again as big. It's designed very much like the pictures I showed you and frankly I HATE IT!!

Chicks require more work than grown birds, so the fact that you can't stand up in it is AWFUL! Also, with the back dropping down it opens the whole thing up and it doesn't take long for those little busy butts to start flying out. I have an 18" board across the back now, but they still get out.

Also, when it's cold out, it's cools it off really fast. I built one of those insulated hover brooders that they go under to help with that problem. That's where my chicks are now.

Also, when you get that big, the back is too heavy and the top is WAY TOO HEAVY!!

I resently built a breeder coop off my main coop, that's walk-in, and I'm also brooding in there right now. It's about 200% better. I really like being able to walk in and watch them play and not kill my neck or any chicks.