Claire Thompson
A brooder box is a temporary home for baby chicks, providing them with a safe and warm environment until they are ready to move into a coop. Setting up a brooder box can be a fun and inexpensive project, and there are several options to choose from. You can use a variety of materials or containers such as a large cardboard box, plastic storage bin, old aquarium, metal feeding trough, kiddie pool, stock tank, or plywood. It is important to ensure that the brooder box is spacious, well-ventilated, and easy to clean. Additionally, maintaining a constant supply of fresh water and chick feed is crucial for the health and growth of the baby chicks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To keep baby chicks until they’re big enough for a coop |
| Brooder box materials | Plastic storage tote, stock tank, thick cardboard, plywood, kiddie pool, tub, cardboard box, old aquarium, metal feeding trough, rabbit hutch, plastic tubs, prefab chicken coop, wire dog kennel, etc. |
| Brooder box lining | Puppy training pads, pine shavings, hay, hemp bedding, straw, bathmats, etc. |
| Brooder box lining (to avoid) | Cedar shavings |
| Heat source | Heat lamp (red bulb), radiant heat panel, Brinsea EcoGlow, heating plate |
| Brooder temperature | 95 degrees for the first week of life, then decrease by 5 degrees each week until reaching 75 degrees |
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What You'll Learn
Brooder box materials: plastic, cardboard, plywood, metal, glass
Plastic brooder boxes are inexpensive, safe, durable, easy to clean, and reusable. They are a good option for when you first bring home your chicks, as they provide a safe and warm environment. However, plastic brooders can be slippery, melt, and cause fumes.
Cardboard brooder boxes are inexpensive and can work well for raising a small number of chicks. They should be lined with newspaper and shavings, which should be changed regularly. However, cardboard boxes can get wet and pose a fire hazard from heat lamps.
Plywood brooder boxes are economical and can be built at home with a single sheet of plywood. They can be spacious enough for a mother hen and her chicks, with separate areas for nesting, dust bathing, and feed and water.
Metal brooders are easy to clean, water-repellent, and fireproof. However, they can be slippery, overheat, and are not suitable for outdoor use due to their lack of predator-proofing.
Glass brooders, such as old aquariums, can be used as brooder boxes. They are easy to clean and allow for easy observation of the chicks. However, they can be prone to condensation and overheating. Additionally, the chicks may feel insecure due to the see-through nature of the glass. Ventilation and perching areas are also important considerations when using a glass brooder.
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Heat sources: heat lamps, heat panels, Brinsea EcoGlow
When setting up a brooder box, it is imperative to have a safe and reliable heat source to keep chicks warm. Traditional heat lamps can be dangerous and are known to cause fires. Brinsea's EcoGlow Safety heaters are a popular alternative to heat lamps and panels. They are radiant heaters that provide a uniform temperature and minimize power consumption. The EcoGlow heaters use a metal warming plate with heat radiation, eliminating hot and cold spots. They are also much safer than traditional heat lamps, as they run at 12 volts from a mains transformer, and the heating surface cannot get hot enough to burn newly hatched chicks. The height of the heaters can be adjusted to accommodate different chick sizes, and they are easy to clean.
The EcoGlow heaters come in two sizes: the EcoGlow Safety 600, suitable for up to 20 chicks, and the EcoGlow Safety 1200, suitable for up to 35 chicks. The height of the heaters can be adjusted by manipulating the four legs that screw into the corners of the heater. The legs can be set at different heights on each side, allowing for simultaneous use by bantams and large breeds. The heaters use radiant heat, which means they will not heat the air, only solid objects. This makes it difficult to measure the heat with a thermometer, but you can place your hand on the heating plate to assure yourself that it is warming. Chicks will naturally huddle together if they are cool and move away from the heat if they are too warm.
To conserve heat, the EcoGlow brooder can be placed against one side of the enclosure wall, allowing chicks to enter and exit from one direction. Additionally, placing about 1" of Styrofoam underneath the brooder can act as insulation and prevent heat from escaping from the bottom. The EcoGlow heaters are also very economical, using only 12-18 watts of power compared to the 250 watts used by typical heat lamps. This can result in significant cost savings, especially considering that brooders are typically left on 24/7 until chicks are older.
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Bedding: pine shavings, straw, hemp bedding, hay, bathmats
When setting up a brooder box for chicks, it is important to choose the right bedding material. This is because the bedding will play a significant role in keeping the chicks warm, and it can also affect their health and energy levels.
Pine shavings are a popular choice for bedding material as they are easy to find, inexpensive, and compostable. They also provide a surface for chicks to scratch about in. However, pine shavings are not as absorbent as other materials and contain toxic essential oils that can affect the respiratory tract.
Straw is another option for bedding. It is inexpensive and natural, but it may not be absorbent enough for a brooder, as the small space means that the poop cannot compost naturally. Hay is similar to straw in that it is inexpensive and natural, but it is not commonly used in brooders.
Hemp bedding is becoming increasingly popular due to its soft, insulating qualities. Chicks enjoy foraging through hemp bedding, and it is also safe for them to ingest.
Bathmats or puppy pads are useful to lay on the ground surface before adding bedding to prevent slipping, which can cause splayed-leg or deformed feet in chicks.
It is important to note that the bedding material should be cleaned out at least once a week to ensure that it remains dry and absorbent, providing adequate insulation for the chicks.
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Brooder size: enough space for chicks to grow and play
Brooder boxes are temporary homes for chicks and are designed to keep them safe and warm until they are ready to move to a coop. The brooder should be cosy for the first four weeks, with chicks requiring 6 inches of space each. After this, the brooder should be expanded to allow the chicks to move around, jump, run, and play.
There are many options for brooder boxes, and they can be made from everyday items. The brooder box should be large enough to accommodate the number of chicks and provide them with ample space to move around. Common options include plastic storage totes, stock tanks, thick cardboard, plywood, and kiddie pools.
Kiddie pools are a popular choice due to their large surface area, which gives chicks plenty of space to grow and play. However, the short walls can make it challenging to keep the chicks inside, so constructing walls or a breathable cover is necessary. Another option is to use two kiddie pools, one flipped upside down on top of the other, with a wire mesh in the middle to prevent overheating.
Other options for brooder boxes include pop-up tent-style brooders, dog playpens, and aquariums or fish tanks. It is important to consider the size, sturdiness, security, protection, and ease of cleaning when setting up a brooder box. The brooder box should also have a realistic amount of room per bird and be large enough to accommodate the chicks as they grow.
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Brooder location: indoors, basement, garage, outdoors
Brooder boxes can be set up indoors, in a basement, a garage, or outdoors. Here are some considerations for each location:
Indoors
Many people like to keep their chicks indoors, especially in the kitchen, where they can keep an eye on them and enjoy their cuteness. However, this may not be ideal as chicks grow very fast and will soon need more space. They also create a lot of dust and odour from their frequent defecation. If you do choose to keep your brooder box indoors, a cardboard box can be a good option as it is easy to move and can be expanded as the chicks grow.
Basement
If you don't have an outbuilding with electricity, a basement can be a suitable location for a brooder box, as long as it is not damp. Cardboard boxes can also work well in basements, as they are easy to move and can be recycled when no longer needed.
Garage
A garage is another option for brooder box placement, especially if it is insulated and has electricity. However, if you plan to use a heat lamp, be aware that barn fires are commonly caused by heat lamps falling into bedding or being placed too close to flammable materials. If you have a cat or other pets, they may also need to be kept away from the brooder box in the garage.
Outdoors
If you choose to set up your brooder box outdoors, you will need to ensure it is secure from predators and protected from the elements. Pop-up tent-style brooders can be a good option for outdoors, as they are easy to set up and provide a generous amount of space for the chicks. You can also use a dog playpen with a removable floor, providing ample space and protection from the weather.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a large tote, a kiddie pool, a tub, a cardboard box, a plastic storage bin, an old aquarium, or a metal feeding trough.
The brooder box should be lined with puppy training pads, which waterproof the bottom of the box. You can then add pine shavings, straw, hemp bedding, or hay to a depth of 4-6 inches.
Heat lamps are the most economical option, but they have a bad reputation for causing fires. Radiant heat panels are a safer alternative. If you do use a heat lamp, use a red bulb, and make sure it is very secure.
