Brooder & Chicks
I'm sure I am not the only one that finished the brooder the night before picking up their chicks and without a full plan for a coop and run!
I'll try to make this quick so we can get onto the coop.
The idea for my brooder came from some I saw online (I don't remember where it was to give them credit). I wanted it to be waist high, portable, and easy access for food, water, and cleaning. I think I achieved it - the chicks seemed to enjoy their temporary home!
The brooder consisted of two parts, the base and the top. This was extremely useful when it came time for cleaning and changing out the bedding. The base was built from extra 4x4's, OSB and T1-11 I had in the barn. I added wheels so it could be easily moved if/when needed.
The structure of the top was made from 2x2's, then wrapped in hardware cloth. It started out with one big opening door, but was they started to grow, I ended up changing it to two doors.
Their water and food feeder was made from PVC pipes. I ended up using 4 water nipples to reduce waste and keep them from drowning themselves. I was pretty surprised how quickly they caught on and used it right away. As I put each chick into the brooder, I would touch it's beak to the nipple so they could feel the water. Next thing, they were drinking like they have done it all their life (haha day old chicks
)
For their food, I drilled 8 wide holes to allow them room for eating and help prevent fighting over food (which, they still fought at times!)
I used two heat lamps. each one hung from the inside at first. As they started to grow and temperatures changed, I had to eventually move the lights outside of the brooder, to the top and hung from the barn ceiling on a pulley system.
Now, come the chicks! I had to add 2x4 strips on the floor in front of the food to make steps. I realized the food was a little too raised and the chicks needed a boost!
Someone needs their vent cleaned!!!
Here are some grouping pictures of each chick:
More Picture chicks in the brooder!
That's all for the chicks & brooder. Let's head to the planning of the coop and run!
I'll try to make this quick so we can get onto the coop.
The idea for my brooder came from some I saw online (I don't remember where it was to give them credit). I wanted it to be waist high, portable, and easy access for food, water, and cleaning. I think I achieved it - the chicks seemed to enjoy their temporary home!
The brooder consisted of two parts, the base and the top. This was extremely useful when it came time for cleaning and changing out the bedding. The base was built from extra 4x4's, OSB and T1-11 I had in the barn. I added wheels so it could be easily moved if/when needed.
The structure of the top was made from 2x2's, then wrapped in hardware cloth. It started out with one big opening door, but was they started to grow, I ended up changing it to two doors.
Their water and food feeder was made from PVC pipes. I ended up using 4 water nipples to reduce waste and keep them from drowning themselves. I was pretty surprised how quickly they caught on and used it right away. As I put each chick into the brooder, I would touch it's beak to the nipple so they could feel the water. Next thing, they were drinking like they have done it all their life (haha day old chicks
)For their food, I drilled 8 wide holes to allow them room for eating and help prevent fighting over food (which, they still fought at times!)
I used two heat lamps. each one hung from the inside at first. As they started to grow and temperatures changed, I had to eventually move the lights outside of the brooder, to the top and hung from the barn ceiling on a pulley system.
Now, come the chicks! I had to add 2x4 strips on the floor in front of the food to make steps. I realized the food was a little too raised and the chicks needed a boost!
Someone needs their vent cleaned!!!
Here are some grouping pictures of each chick:
More Picture chicks in the brooder!
That's all for the chicks & brooder. Let's head to the planning of the coop and run!
