show me your dog crate baby brooders

[one wet hen]

i want to modify my large dog crate into an outdoor chicken shack give me some ideas

 

[Emmalion]

Hi and

The most I did for modification was to place cardboard up the sides to keep out drafts and keep in shavings. The front where the door is is covered with netting to keep the chicks in and cats out. I actually had to add a hardwire barrier which would be better if I had done it in the beginning but I didn't.

If you are going to have it outside I would suggest covering the entire thing in hardwire cloth with the sides blocked to prevent drafts. Maybe the top too. But I have mine inside so they are cozy in their own room .

 

[MydearWatson]

Glad you asked this question! I will be using a crate for mine too. Hope to see more pics and ideas.

 

[SabaiFarms]

 

[MydearWatson]

Daisy, Can I ask what watt bulb you are using for heat? I was planning on getting a 250 red heat bulb and I was hoping it would be strong enough so I could just rest it on the top of the cage. Now seeing yours I guess I might have to hang it inside.

ETA: Why do you put the chicken wire on it? Is it to keep other animals out? I was figuring the spacing between bars would be too small for a chick to get out.

 

[kemclaughlin]

We have our brooder on top of the dog's crate. I put the chicks in it while we clean out the box. I would think, from watching them, that even if they could not get out through the bars, they could certainly get part of the way out and then get stuck. I would not be willing to risk it.

 

[smcjoj3]

I like this thread. It needs more pics!!

I almost turned my XL dog crate into the brooder for the last batch of chicks, but couldn't decide what to do/how to manage the light. It never seemed to work quite right. And then the issue of the pine shavings being kicked out the kennel door? But overall I think it is a great solution for a brooder if you are looking to save some money. Or need 'one more' brooder....because you got 'more chicks'

 

[Emmalion]

This is of the one posted above that has been in use for almost 4 weeks

I had my light hanging inside and its a 250w it all depends on how warm your house is and how warm they like it. Watch the chicks behavior around the light.

huddled under it = too cold
huddled away from it = to hot
sprawled out all over the place = just right

Right now my light is suspended above the crate as you move it up and lose 5 degrees a week to harden them off.

Please remember if you hang your light inside to please have it secured by a second way. Don't trust the clamps.

 

[Emmalion]

Quote:
I actually hung my light by running a piece of wood through the clamp and could adjust it that way. Now I have the same thing just lifted.

The shavings are stopped but not all of them by a smaller piece of cardboard run along the front. I saw your post right after I posted my updated pic so I ran to take another one to show you all how I have the light and set up.

The lamp is just there for more "daylight" light its only a 40w so no real heat from it.

I hope it helps to see what I was talking about.

 

[MydearWatson]

this thread is AWESOME.

Emma, brilliant advise, thank you!

I didn't think to secure the light in more than one way, definitely doing that! I was also planning on using cardboard like you have. Do you have to change it often? I was thinking it might get dirty but maybe not?