What can I use as a brooder ?

[GeorgRodway]

Hi all does any one have any ideas on what I can use as a brooder, I have purchase 2 heat lamps with 175W heat bulbs. I was planning on just getting a large cardboard box and putting my lamps over 2 boxes, I'm incubating 22 eggs in total.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I put them out in the coop when they come out of the brooder. The space and fresh air does them a world of good as does all the cool space.
I have a separate brooder house and this is how I do a few chicks.




This is how I do it if I have over 25 and it's real cold out.



You can use a box or anything else but IMO they need to have a warm spot and lots of cool space.

 

[Judy]

I've brooded in a really large box, and it's fine. I agree that warm and cool places, and lots of space, are very important. Also, it will need a cover in a week or two as they will fly out, and the cover needs to let air in. I used deer netting, which was inconventent but it worked. You might want to lay plastic on the floor under the box if you are doing this in your house. You need something besides the box to secure the heat lamp, and a way to raise it so they don't get too warm.

There is a section on brooders in our Coops section, top of page. Also, you might be interested in these:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/...have-a-couple-of-questions/0_20#post_11151084

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/735392/redneck-fungshui-brooding-17-degree-temperatures/0_20

 

[Tadkins472]

I use a large box and covered it with a screen fish tank cover i used for my reptiles.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Good points. If, on the rare occasion I only have a couple chicks, I'll use a large Rubbermaid type container in the basement. I can hang the lamp from the floor joists above. My wife would kill me before the dust could if I had them in the house. In a small container, sometimes a heat lamp isn't even necessary. A 75 or 100 watt incandescent will work. If you use a container, also use a thermometer. In a larger space I don't waste time with a thermometer. I've seen chicks fry in a small space with a heat lamp. Not pretty.

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

I just used cardboard boxes. They work fine. Good Luck with your hatch!

 

[GeorgRodway]

Thank you very much, what surfacing should I use ? Would sawdust be ok ?