Will this work as a brooder?

[ssramage]

So I'm all about repurposing things around the house. I was originally planning to build a wooden brooder, but in moving my raised bed gardens I decided not to use this galvanized stock tank that I have. It's a Tater 40G oval tank (linked below) and it's roughly 2'W x 1'T x 4'L. I drilled some holes in the bottom for drainage, but could put down wood or something to cover.

I primarily need a brooder for raising 20-25 meat chickens at a time. Would this work, or too small? I haven't raised chicks in a long time and the last time I did was in a plastic tub. I'm having trouble validating the size in my mind for the # of birds.

https://tarterusa.com/tarter-products/oval-versa-40

 

[Anne02]

It wouldn't work for very long, that's for sure. You ideally want 1.5-2 sq. feet of space per bird in a brooder.

 

[ssramage]

It wouldn't work for very long, that's for sure. You ideally want 1.5-2 sq. feet of space per bird in a brooder.

I've seen that # before I think but didn't know if broilers may be different since they're in the brooder for such a short period before moving to the coop/tractor.

 

[Anne02]

I've seen that # before I think but didn't know if broilers may be different since they're in the brooder for such a short period before moving to the coop/tractor.

Maybe. It depends on how long you will have them in the brooder.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Probably too small for that number of chicks for any extended period of time. By 2 weeks they should have about 1/2 sq ft per bird, so that'd be roughly 16 chicks (plus it's rounded so you're losing some floor space compared to a rectangular bin).

 

[Egghead_Jr]

It will work but depends when you plan to send them outside. I'll put dual purpose chicks out at 3 weeks if day temp is 50 F, frost at night. Use a water trough for brooder too. I don't know how hardy meat chicks are and they do grow fast. rosemarythyme is probably close to how long that number can use that size brooder.

 

[Matejka]

Since its been a while since you raised chicks..... .consider starting with 10-12 with that trough and see how it goes. Next batch, if you want more then spend time money on a bigger brooder. Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[RoosterML]

Will work great to get you going.

 

[CluckerFamily]

I use a stock tank for my brooder and it works great! Easy to clean the chicks move to the coop.
The size you have depends on how long you plan to keep the chicks in the brooder.
I have the 6’ stock tank and I normally only buy 8 chicks at a time but I keep them in the tank until they have all their feathers. My sister uses the 6’ tank for about 20 chicks but only keeps them in it for about 2-3 weeks.
A cleaning tool that helps to clean out the brooder while the chicks are still in the tank is a leaf scoop for gutters.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

I use a dust pan to scoop out the brooder. Efficient and we all should own one already.