Will this work as a brooder?

[lblagden]

Hello, brand new to chickens here, picking up 6 chicks next Tuesday on hatch day! I'm on the hunt for a brooder that is large enough, but ideally something that I can use later on for other things. Would this have enough room for 6 chicks for the first 5 weeks? It has about 10 square feet of floor space.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...0600210P/Suncast+Large+Deck+Box.jsp?locale=en

I was thinking I could use it afterward for storing feed, shavings, etc.

Thank you!

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

10 sq ft???!!!! If its really that big than it could work (I think)

 

[lblagden]

It's 53.5" x 27.5", by my math that's about 10.2 square feet. But I'm not a mathy, can anyone verify that my math checks out?

53.5 x 27.5 = 1471.25/(12 x 12) = 10.2

If that will work, that would be great! It's the largest container I could find. I could use cardboard, but I'm hesitant because I wouldn't be able to disinfect it..

 

[Mr MKK FARMS]

It's 53.5" x 27.5", by my math that's about 10.2 square feet. But I'm not a mathy, can anyone verify that my math checks out?

53.5 x 27.5 = 1471.25/(12 x 12) = 10.2

If that will work, that would be great! It's the largest container I could find. I could use cardboard, but I'm hesitant because I wouldn't be able to disinfect it..

Do not use card board!!! It doesn't work, I've tried it! (Total fail)

 

[ronott1]

Hello, brand new to chickens here, picking up 6 chicks next Tuesday on hatch day! I'm on the hunt for a brooder that is large enough, but ideally something that I can use later on for other things. Would this have enough room for 6 chicks for the first 5 weeks? It has about 10 square feet of floor space.

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brow...0600210P/Suncast+Large+Deck+Box.jsp?locale=en

I was thinking I could use it afterward for storing feed, shavings, etc.

Thank you!

It would work--It needs lots of venting. I would cut a square hole in the top and attach 1/4 inch screen to it.

 

[kynewbchickie]

I would say that would work well - I built ours, it's 4'x4' and built to last a long time for many more hatches in the future. Nice find!

I agree, cardboard isn't the greatest - I've been told by several farm folk around here and through my life that they'll peck the cardboard to pieces, and if you don't line the bottom (under the bedding), it'll absorb excess moisture from droppings and start bad problems. :/

 

[lblagden]

Yeah, there are lots of reasons I want to avoid cardboard!

As far as venting, I'm planning on removing the top entirely, making a frame out of 2x2 and attaching hardward cloth to that. So essentially the whole top will remain open.

Thanks for the advice! I read somewhere that I should block off a bit of it for the first while so that the chicks are able to find the heat, and then give them the rest of the space after a week or so. Does that sound right, or can I just give them the whole thing right off the bat? I feel like they'll find the heat, particularly if I show them where it is first, but what do I know..

 

[ronott1]

Yeah, there are lots of reasons I want to avoid cardboard!

As far as venting, I'm planning on removing the top entirely, making a frame out of 2x2 and attaching hardward cloth to that. So essentially the whole top will remain open.

Thanks for the advice! I read somewhere that I should block off a bit of it for the first while so that the chicks are able to find the heat, and then give them the rest of the space after a week or so. Does that sound right, or can I just give them the whole thing right off the bat? I feel like they'll find the heat, particularly if I show them where it is first, but what do I know..

They find the heat just fine. Make one part of it 95 and then lower each week. They will move in to the heat to warm up and then move out to get food and water.

 

[ohiofarmboy]

If you have ever seen how many TSC fits in a tub that thing looks like a mansion for chicks! If it was me I would leave the top off and just put something like a screen on top of it so nothing gets in and its ventilated well. Good idea using it for chicken supplies later!

 

[chefchick]

That will work great! But so would a large Rubbermaid tote for 1/10 of the cost. Handsome hub built me a 4x4 give or take brooder and I had 25 chicks at one time and 34 quail another time. right now I only have 9 chicks and I blocked half of it off just to save on shavings for now. Your chickies will be very happy in their new home for sure!