How to Buy a Baby Bird Brooder

A bird brooder is necessary for baby birds that don't have all their feathers yet. Featherless baby birds can't regulate their own body temperatures, so the bird brooder keeps them warm. There are many different styles of bird brooders to choose from, ranging from inexpensive homemade bird brooders to elaborate, expensive brooders.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Use an aquarium with a heating lid as a bird brooder. This is the best choice if you don't have the money for an industrial brooder. You must take precautions when using an aquarium, however. Keep the heating sensor on the inside of the aquarium; if you keep it on the outside, you can cook your baby birds. It's also important to keep the aquarium out of direct sunlight.

2. Buy a bird brooder that's large enough for all your birds. It's good to keep slightly older birds with the newborn birds because the older birds help keep the babies warm without adding heat to the brooder. So buy a brooder that's big enough for the babies plus the older birds.

3. Opt for a professional-style baby bird brooder if you have the money and want a better quality brooder. Professional brooders regulate temperature and humidity, taking the guesswork out of raising your young birds.

4. Purchase a bird brooder that's easy to clean. Unnecessary bells and whistles can make the brooders harder to clean. Since you're probably filling the bottom with fluffy paper towels to help the birds' legs develop, you're going to have to change them often. A clunky brooder makes this task more difficult.