Your Brooder Setups!

[KadeSilkies21]

Hi all, I was wondering about how to setup my brooder so here I am! It would be great if anyone could post some pics of their brooder setups or provide any helpful tips and info. I am new to incubators with my first batch due to (hopefully) hatch very soon and am yet to fully setup my brooder. I have a large wooden box for my brooder and now need to buy supplies. Could somebody inform me of the wattage of a suitable heat lamp? Thanks heaps!

 

[Pork Pie]

This search that I've just done should help you. I use a brooder plate, so I have no idea re: lamps and wattage, sorry

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threadloom/search?query=brooder pics&tab=620

 

[rjohns39]

Like pork pie has suggested there are lots of different designs based upon your goals. I use 4' sweeter heaters in mine and nipple waterers. Mine are constructed with a 2x4 frame 8x16x4 (2-8x8 cells) with coraplast walls on the inside. Best to use something like coraplast to make your interior corners round. Outside is 1/2" hardware cloth and top is 1/4" hardware cloth. I use deep litter in mine (pine shavings). Though I can hold up to 100 birds per cell for up to three weeks, it's generally recommended to give birds 1 sq ft per bird up to three weeks. I haven't seen any difference in my layers ducks or turkeys, but with CX I limit to 75 per cell or will see reduced growth.

 

[April Barta]

Here are some pics of mine. We did a large bunny cage for when they were tiny. Put blankets around the sides to prevent drafts. It was wonderful. Now they’re in a pumpkin box in the garage. Soon, I’ll be doubling the pumpkin box or to the coop they go.

I love using the heat plate, and the small feeder/watered is great for now. But they’re getting on top of the containers and pooping so we will have to invent some sort of hanging feeder I think.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Check out the thread on MHP started by Blooie. I used to use a regular 40 watt light bulb in a trouble light but since I read about the heating pad, never went back. I start off in a large plastic bin for a week in the house, doggie potty pad or disposable pads for the bottom, qt waterer with pebbles in the base & their feeder. I do add AVC to their water & I also ferment the chick starter. This is so I can keep an eye on them & watch for problems.

Then they move outside to my brooder in the patio with the MHP. Change out the waterer to the horizontal nipple container I have. They stay in here until about 8wks.

 

[KadeSilkies21]

Thanks for all the pics! We've started building our own brooder using all of your great info and help. We are using a large wine crate with 2 separated areas and infrared heat bulbs for our soon-to-hatch Guinea keets.