Setup my brooder!

[FranciscoR]

I used the coop itself. I bought a waterer and feeder (couldn't get homemade to work right).

I made the heat lamp from a hanging shop light, and shield of old barn light.

Should I remove some bedding?

 

[junebuggena]

You should definitely top it with wire. Even week old chicks could jump out of that brooder.

 

[FranciscoR]

What if I made was much taller? I've only got that green netting, and 2x3 welded wire.

 

[junebuggena]

You can pick up a small roll of hardware cloth for a few bucks at most hardware stores. Those feeders should be raised up above the bedding. The chicks will scratch all that feed out in seconds, and the water will be filled with shavings if you leave at the level it is now. It should also be noted that this sized brooder will only work for maybe 4 chicks for about 4 weeks; or 6 chicks for 2 weeks. If you plan on getting more chicks than that, you will need something much larger. They grow really fast, doubling in size every week for the first 6 weeks or so.

 

[FranciscoR]

They're home! I'm using am old baby gate to keep them in. Ended up taking out a lot of bedding. They look comfy...lol

 

[FranciscoR]

This is a photo of my girl "feeding" the chicks. She is in LOVE with them! I think we've started a ritual where each morning/evening we go check the chicks. We give them treats, pet them, then say good night/good day. She gets very excited when it comes to seeing and interacting with them. She even named one. She named her "yellow." Shes two years old, so yeah...lol

 

[junebuggena]

Be careful giving treats to growing birds. No more than 10% of their daily feed, and always with grit.

 

[FranciscoR]

We haven't actually given treats. To my girl, a "treat" is actually their normal feed. She loves doing things with me. Shes turning into a very outdoorsy girl. I think I'll wait another week before any real treats. Im gonna try strawberries next week!

 

[snow5164]

Looks good and what a cute little girl!!! I have 3 week on old chicks. Have you read about fermented feed? Basically you add water to the feed and let it soak 3 days, but I fed it wet from week 1 . The plus side? It doesn't get wasted your daughter can feed them a plate of it each am and pm ( such fun)as its sticky like oatmeal she could carry it out!
Wish my girls were little again!!!( they're 20&22)

 

[FranciscoR]

Looks good and what a cute little girl!!! I have 3 week on old chicks. Have you read about fermented feed? Basically you add water to the feed and let it soak 3 days, but I fed it wet from week 1 . The plus side? It doesn't get wasted your daughter can feed them a plate of it each am and pm ( such fun)as its sticky like oatmeal she could carry it out!
Wish my girls were little again!!!( they're 20&22)

Yeah, doing this with her makes things so much more fulfilling. Yesterday she even held one for a second (didnt freak out). For her, that's a big thing. She's gentle with the birds, and seems to be genuinely "into" making sure theyrththey're happy and healty.

I'm very haopy with how the brooder turned out. For 6 chicks (for now), it's more than enough. The heat lamp I oupput together works great. The feeder/waterer are just fine. I ckeared out a lot of the bedding, which is making it a lot better. They scratch a lot of feed out, but it lands right next to dish.