Before I get my next batch of CX's, probably mid-August, I'd like to revisit my means of brooding. In the past I've just used the floor of my garden shed and I can fit about 70 birds in there until 3 weeks of age. Them they go into tractors. Typically I've only done birds in early spring so at that point I'm not using the garden shed as much. This year, because of demand from other family members and my growing kids, I'm going to need to do another batch of birds late summer. I'm considering building a shelf style brooder and was wondering if anybody had any tips.
I have a seemingly endless supply of these racks that the material for my business comes on. They measure 12 ft² so I was thinking that if I put three shelves total that it would give me enough room for about 70 birds. I'd use expanded steel mesh for the chicks to actually be on and slide out shelves under the mesh to collect the droppings. I'd use automatic waters and feeders which is similar to how I currently do my feeding and watering anyway.
I'm not really finding a whole lot of information on the interwebs about design and construction of something like this so I was wondering if anybody here had any pointers.
Thanks
I have a seemingly endless supply of these racks that the material for my business comes on. They measure 12 ft² so I was thinking that if I put three shelves total that it would give me enough room for about 70 birds. I'd use expanded steel mesh for the chicks to actually be on and slide out shelves under the mesh to collect the droppings. I'd use automatic waters and feeders which is similar to how I currently do my feeding and watering anyway.
I'm not really finding a whole lot of information on the interwebs about design and construction of something like this so I was wondering if anybody here had any pointers.
Thanks
