question about Pumpkin/Melon box brooder

[KelsT]

I got a melon box from a grocery store! Super excited to give the chicks ample space. I just have a question about the floor and the folded cardboard. there are substantial lips where the folds are... these seem like large tripping hazards? I was going to tape over them to seal it for the shavings but it seems like i would want the bottom as flat as possible... I also thought about just taping the 2 sides together and not folding the other 2 in so it doesn't have the huge raised part....

Those of you who have used these what did you do for the floor....

 

[KelsT]

Also I make soap...I store it in the same area that i am putting the huge brooder.... will scented soap with essential oils bug the chickens... It bugs my husband in the house but hes kinda just picky lol.

Its all essential oils I don't use synthetic fragrance

 

[Mutt Farm]

Looks like a great box! I used a banana box, same thing. Just duct tape the tabs down.

 

[KelsT]

Ok awesome! I asked at haggens and they went in the back and found one! I some how got it in my car! so need a truck! cant wait to watch the little ones run around there are only 6 so they will have so much room compared to the storage container they are in.

 

[Mutt Farm]

Good stuff! Should be great for 6 chicks! I used paper grocery bags on the floor with paper towels layered on top. Easy to peel of a layer each day until I had more time. ENJOY! Waiting for pictures!

 

[3riverschick]

I used these last season as "grow out" pens to raise 42 Light Sussex chicks. After the chicks don't need heat and before they were old enough to be added to the flock. 7 to a brooder and raised to 4 months old. There are 15 sq. ft. per corral. Put a tarp down under the corral. Just any cheap one will do. Then go to tractor Supply and buy a bale of their hardwood chips. The ones in the white bale, not the yellow bale. Put in chips to about 3 inches deep. Cut a nice "V" notch in opposite sides of the corral and lay in them a strong piece of PVC or wood pole. Hang your feeder from that with a line or chain which can be raised as the chicks grow. The level of the feed they peck at should stay at shoulder level. Put a raised platform in the corner and set the waterer on that. I tried hanging the waterer but they pushed it and the water sloshed out. There is a hole in each corner of the corral low down. These are great for hanging treat and grit containers. I have a small metal pail with a hook welded on it that I just fill with grit and the hook hangs thru the hole. Sooner or later you will need a lid. Use chicken wire. Take some duck tape and fold it over the edges of the chicken wire so you don't scratch yourself when you lift the "lid". Leave about a 3-4 inch overlap on all sides of the lid. Now take a couple of 2x4's and lay them across the top of the lid so the birds don't push up the lid when they get older.
You could also use this as a baby brooder if you had a light in one corner where they could keep warm and the pen was not in a drafty area. Would also cover the half of the brooder with non-flammable material where the light wasn't to help keep in the heat. Do not let the light rest against the cardboard walls.
Best Regards,
Karen

 

[KelsT]

I used these last season as "grow out" pens to raise 42 Light Sussex chicks. After the chicks don't need heat and before they were old enough to be added to the flock. 7 to a brooder and raised to 4 months old. There are 15 sq. ft. per corral. Put a tarp down under the corral. Just any cheap one will do. Then go to tractor Supply and buy a bale of their hardwood chips. The ones in the white bale, not the yellow bale. Put in chips to about 3 inches deep. Cut a nice "V" notch in opposite sides of the corral and lay in them a strong piece of PVC or wood pole. Hang your feeder from that with a line or chain which can be raised as the chicks grow. The level of the feed they peck at should stay at shoulder level. Put a raised platform in the corner and set the waterer on that. I tried hanging the waterer but they pushed it and the water sloshed out. There is a hole in each corner of the corral low  down. These are great for hanging treat and grit containers.  I have a small metal pail with a hook welded on it that I just fill with grit and the hook hangs thru the hole.  Sooner or later you will need a lid. Use chicken wire. Take some duck tape and fold it over the edges of the chicken wire so you don't scratch yourself when you lift the "lid". Leave about a 3-4 inch overlap on all sides of the lid. Now take a couple of 2x4's and lay them across the top of the lid so the birds don't push up the lid when they get older.
 You could also use this as a baby brooder if you had a light in one corner where they could keep warm and the  pen was not in a drafty area. Would also cover the half of the brooder with non-flammable material where the light wasn't to help keep in the heat. Do not let the light rest against the cardboard walls.
Best Regards,
 Karen

Awesome. Great info. Do you have a photo?

 

[clickdb]

I got one of these a few weeks ago to raise my australorps and EEs, there are 9 of them in there right now. they are 4 weeks old and already starting to outgrow it. Mine had a giant hole in the bottom, the flaps didnt come all the way to center because it was a watermelon box.

x2 on the ductape, i just secured everything as flat as i could and then added a generous helping of pine shavings on top of it. There are pieces of brick in there to elevate the food and water dishes, it has help tons to keep the water clean(ish) and they can't spill most of their food.

In a couple of weeks im going to cut a couple small holes in the box and place the entire thing in the coop, so the chicks can have a panic room while they are meeting the rest of the flock.

 

[KelsT]

great idea about putting it in the run!

 

[KelsT]

Brooder almost set up to house the 2 groups of baby chicks. they have both been in plastic totes next to each other in a room. both groups are nice and healthy and I plant on putting them in this so they can get used to each other. 3 are 4 weeks, and 3 are 1 week. Once they are friends I'll get rid of the divider... let them get as big as i can then introduce them to my flock of 4.5 month old pullets. And am looking into expanding my run! lol