DIY Brooders

Make a brooder for your chicks.

If you are trying to raise chickens, you will need to have a brooder to keep the chicks in while they are small. Baby chicks require several things to keep them healthy and safe. Chicks need to be kept warm, have space to move around and have plenty of food and water. They are kept in brooders until they are old enough to be in cooler areas. You can make a brooder to keep the chicks warm out of easy to find materials.

Things You'll Need

• Large plastic or galvanized container
• Hay
• Chicken wire larger than the container
• Wire cutters
• 100 watt bulb
• Clip on light
• Thermometer
• Plastic feeding tray
• Water container

Instructions

1. Buy a large plastic or galvanized container. For each chick, you will need about 2 square feet of space. A box 18 inches wide by 36 inches long by 24 inches high will hold 4 to 5 chicks comfortably. If you put too many chicks into a small space they will turn cannibal.

2. Place a layer of hay in the bottom of the container. The chickens need hay on the bottom to cover the slick surface of the container. They can develop problems with their feet if they stay on slick surfaces. The hay will need to be changed daily.

3. Center the chicken wire on top of the container, and bend the sides down all the way around. This will keep the chicks from flying out when their wings start to develop.

4. Clip the wire in the center of the left side, so there is an opening long enough to slide the clip light's clip onto the top of the container. If there are any sharp edges, cut them off, or bend them out of the way. Clip the light into place. Put a 100 watt light bulb into the light. Turn it on, and let it heat up the brooder. The brooder needs to be 95 degrees. Pull the wire up, and put the thermometer in the brooder. You may need to remove the clip light to open the brooder. Push the wire back in place. Let it sit there for about 15 minutes. If it is too hot, use a lower wattage light bulb. If it's too cool, get a higher wattage bulb.

5. Lift the wire, and put the food container and the water inside. You are ready to put your chicks in the brooder.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the brooder in a place that doesn't have a lot of drafts. Chicks like their temperature to stay constant. Lower the temperature 5 degrees each week until you reach the outside temperature. Remove the chicks from the brooder after they are 6 weeks old. Make sure their feathers have developed before you put them outside, especially if it's cold.

References

• Mother Earth News: Anyone Can Raise Chickens