I built a stand for my roost which isn't but about 6 inches off the ground. I also used 2) 12 ft pieces of tie/ceiling wire along the inside of the top of the pool with clothes pens to hold it together which keeps the sides ridged. I have a piece of construction netting draped over a dowel rod to keep them inside!
MY brooder was actually some shelves someone wanted to get rid of so I made a brooder out of them.
May I ask why do you put puppy pads under the pine bedding? New chick momma and will be using pine pellets in brooder, right now is using paper towel for a few days. ThanksI use a converted chinchilla cage. I believe the chicks are not as stressed if they can see out of the brooder.
I brood in the living room, makes the chicks friendlier and used to all kinds of noise IMO. I use puppy pads, as shavings too dusty for inside. As chicks get bigger, I put pine pellets (horse bedding) over the pads, absorbs smells and not as dusty as shavings.
Heat plates all the way! I have the Brinsea plates in different sizes. Love them. NEVER going back to the red heat lamps!
You have to stuff them under the plates a few times until they get the idea that is where the warmth is. They catch on pretty quick.
I made the far piece yesterday, for my ee's and rir, that's about 2 weeks old. The one up against it has my 5 week old chicks in it. I figured if I did it this way, they'd be more acquainted to each other.
I just used pine shavings in mine. IMO, it's cheaper.
They absorb a lot of moisture and make clean up easy.
My dog kennel works great. Perfect for keeping them safe and secure. It can also be multipurpose!
PACK AND PLAY BROODER
