Size for brooder?

[galefrances]

I'm glad some of you are using your coop as a brooder. That's what I did when my chicks were almost 3 wks old. It just didn't make sense to keep changing up to larger brooders. Especially since the weather has been unseasonably warm...in the 90's most days. We only used the heat lamp at night when the coop cooled down. The problem I'm having though is that contrary to what I thought, my chicks don't have enough sense to come in from the run as night falls. I've had to pick them up and put them in the coop and they complain and try to get back out until I close them in. I've only let hem out in the run freely the past two days.Last night I went out at 9pm and they were huddled together in the corner of the run near the chicken door. Will they eventually learn to go into the coop on their own? Any ideas on how to teach them that's where they sleep?

 

[ONSTAD1]

I'm glad some of you are using your coop as a brooder. That's what I did when my chicks were almost 3 wks old. It just didn't make sense to keep changing up to larger brooders. Especially since the weather has been unseasonably warm...in the 90's most days. We only used the heat lamp at night when the coop cooled down. The problem I'm having though is that contrary to what I thought, my chicks don't have enough sense to come in from the run as night falls. I've had to pick them up and put them in the coop and they complain and try to get back out until I close them in. I've only let hem out in the run freely the past two days.Last night I went out at 9pm and they were huddled together in the corner of the run near the chicken door. Will they eventually learn to go into the coop on their own? Any ideas on how to teach them that's where they sleep?

Mine are 2.5 weeks old. They have been brooding in coop and "free ranging" all day in the run for the last 2 weeks. They too would huddle in corner at night and I would have to chicken wrangle them in to coop... then like magic, last night they all lined up on the ramp and went into the coop. Guess they were just ready. Not sure there is much you can do, nature will take its course soon enough. AND, I'm super new at this so take it for what it's worth..

mo

 

[galefrances]

Mine are 2.5 weeks old. They have been brooding in coop and "free ranging" all day in the run for the last 2 weeks. They too would huddle in corner at night and I would have to chicken wrangle them in to coop... then like magic, last night they all lined up on the ramp and went into the coop. Guess they were just ready. Not sure there is much you can do, nature will take its course soon enough. AND, I'm super new at this so take it for what it's worth..

mo

I'm just glad someone else experienced the same thing. Thanks for the encouragement.

 

[yo burrill]

Very true Fiddlebanshee! The clamps on those bigger lights just cant handle the weight. I use a smaller reptile lamp holder for my brooder a 60watt bulb is plenty to keep them warm but not cook them. I dont use shavings any more in my brooder. I use newspaper it just fits in my brooder box, I put the whole paper in then just roll the top paper up and throw it in the compost pile every couple days.Clean brooders and no wasted food getting lost in the shavings. Boy did I go through alot of food with the shavings!!!

 

[JenS]

I have and they love it!

 

[Nicole01]

I'm glad some of you are using your coop as a brooder. That's what I did when my chicks were almost 3 wks old. It just didn't make sense to keep changing up to larger brooders. Especially since the weather has been unseasonably warm...in the 90's most days. We only used the heat lamp at night when the coop cooled down. The problem I'm having though is that contrary to what I thought, my chicks don't have enough sense to come in from the run as night falls. I've had to pick them up and put them in the coop and they complain and try to get back out until I close them in. I've only let hem out in the run freely the past two days.Last night I went out at 9pm and they were huddled together in the corner of the run near the chicken door. Will they eventually learn to go into the coop on their own? Any ideas on how to teach them that's where they sleep?

LOL... If I put my baby chicks in the coop, they'd be a snack for the older flock. I have hubby move the kennel into the coop once the last feathering chick is almost fully feathered(about 3-4 weeks old). I have two size dog kennels. I have 1 large wire, 1 large plastic and 1 XL wire I've used as brooders. If I have too many chicks, I can butt up two kennels for more room. I prefer my chickens outside. I'm starting a new batch right from the brand new incubator. This will be my 5th integration since a year ago last April. I integrate in small number(groups of 3). With hatching chicks you run the risk of roosters, so I might have to start over in the spring and hatch another set or two.

 

[barbjess]

I went to home depot and got a 4'x8' sheet of OSB (only $7) and a 8' stick of 2"x2" (only$1.50). I had them cut it for me (no mess at home) into 4, 4'x2' sections and cut the 2"x2" stick into 4 even pieces and screwed the box together. We have it in our shop so we just have it on a concrete floor, we just make sure they have a sufficient amount of bedding. You could also set it on top of a tarp or something similar if worried about the floor underneath. It makes a great 4'x4' brooder. Right now we have 35 chicks in it and they are more then comfortable and have plenty of room to move away from the light. This actually turned out to be sooo much cheaper than buying a wading pool or Rubbermaid.

Edit: we do know that 35 won't fit for very long, but we have a brooder right next to it that we made the same way only we used 2 sheets of OSB to make it 4'x8'.

When you used the 4'x8', how long did you keep the chicks in it? Did you have to cover the top to keep them from flying over? I have 27 chicks that are 2 weeks old. and I was going to do a 3' x 8' and hammer it together but your plan sounds better with the screws and the extra foot on the two sides. Your post is so helpful to me!

 

[Utard]

I am thinking I need to go bigger already at 2 weeks old?

Per the book I got the brooder space requirements don't seem nearly enough.

My rubbermaid tub is 450 square inches or 3.1 square feet. By the book this should be ok until 5 weeks. RRIIGGHHTT. Oh yes I have 11 chicks.

They seem a bit cramped and/or restless.

 

[mithious]

I'm using a 2 foot by 4 foot cardboard box for 15 chicks. They are one week old today and I don't recommend it (already not enough room )...they are board and with waterer and feeder in there, there really isn't much room. Just used the heat lamp, in my living room, for the first week and now a 40 watt bulb during the day (up high) as it is 85 degrees in the house! They seem to like having a light on. As soon as the coop is done they are going out in it. Lord willing, next week-end!!!! I will use the heat lamp out there more, but inside, even I am broiling!

I just made them a small roost and that seems to have caught their curiosity, so that is helping for now...not sure what the next thing will be. Must get creative and find something else soon, to keep them from going nuts this next week! Oh, I don't have any other chickens in the coop...just getting back into it, so they will have the run of the place !

Also, make sure whatever you have is level....my cottage is not..thus I have to level my waterer in the box...just got through cleaning it out again (water drained out of the waterer)...hard to get it level with just guessing LOL...good thing it's just shavings..think I have it this time...soon, they will be in the coop and everything will be hanging and self leveling!!!

Good luck !

 

[suzroemer]

Hi what is OSB? Getting ideas for our new arrival. After chicks hatch can u separate them from mom. She is outside in the cold in a coop with other hens. I want to bring the babies up to my house and keep them warm with a lamp.