DIY Chick Brooder

[@Scorpio77902]

This is pretty Awesome, we're just getting into this. Thanks!! 🐔

[@ThriftyGarage]

I hope you enjoy chickens as much as do!

[@CoyoteCrossingSanctuary]

What size is this? Measurements

[@one-on-oneinformationservi4549]

This is awesome. Thanks for sharing the video.

[@whmpas]

Update video, would love to see how it worked out with the chicks. What type of lamp did you go for ?

[@ThriftyGarage]

Check out our Raising Backyard Chickens video. It shows it in use. Everything worked great. This tote was a little small for the number of birds we had. When they got to big we moved them into the coop with the heat lamp.

[@noseyposeys]

Hi thank you! This is the route i took. I was worried about the lamp being on top. Is that okay to just sit on top of the harware cloth?

[@ThriftyGarage]

It worked well for us.

[@IntrinDesign]

Very fun! This is our first year raising chicks for our homeschooled children and we used a similar size bin that was luring around. I like how you found a solution to attach the wire topping. It has been so fun and a great learning opportunity for the kids! Did the zip ties stay strong enough they didn’t become brittle snap under the heat?

[@ThriftyGarage]

Zip ties held up great!

[@danrich9794]

Nice work. Good idea n effective

[@babynieve9612]

How many watts is the light

[@nataliemortensen3171]

What size is the box and where did you get it?

[@shaquilleoatmeal926]

What box did you use Can you please tell me because i am looking for one that is good if you tell me you have earned a new sub

[@ThriftyGarage]

Sterilite 160 Qt. Wheeled Storage Box from Home Depot. We chose it because it was one of the largest totes with a flat bottom (more floor space). And the lid was easily modified for our purpose.

[@jeanburgin160]

Great design ...

[@ThriftyGarage]

Thanks a lot

[@Jackbaugh-u9s]

And the heat lamp heating up the plastic fumes

[@ThriftyGarage]

What else did we do wrong?

[@dailynature3712]

thats good

[@mrschristilockridge]

How are you lowering the temp 5° each week with this setup? …… that where I’m stumped and came searching for a solution

[@ThriftyGarage]

The chicks will naturally leave the heat as they grow bigger. We watched how many chicks were under the heat lamp and as they grew further away (the other side of the tote) we could raise the heat lamp higher.

[@chuckdish]

You said it was small for the amount of birds you had--may I ask how many? And the lamp--is it warm enough to just leave resting on the top like that?

[@ThriftyGarage]

I think we had about 20-25. You can adjust the heat lamp distance based off whether all of the chicks are huddling under the light or avoiding it entirely. You want them coming and going freely based off their desire to warm up.

[@chuckdish]

@@ThriftyGarage Thanks. I have 4 coming, just starting out. I was wondering where you purchased that container?

[@ThriftyGarage]

I believe it was from Home Depot.

[@chuckdish]

@@ThriftyGarage thank you

[@accordingtodlaw]

@@ThriftyGarage I’m going to have 18 baby chicks so should I make two containers? Also, is it ok to keep the chicks in the garage. I heard you say you were keeping them inside. Thanks

[@trishd2872]

Wouldn’t the heat lamp which is suppose to be 95 melt the tote

[@ThriftyGarage]

We never had an issue. I definitely wouldn’t recommend placing it close to the tote. We always maintained a minimum distance of several inches away from the tote.

[@L.and.P.ASMR.]

Dis helped

[@ThriftyGarage]

Aw sum

[@karin_ross]

I like it its nice it work great

[@ThriftyGarage]

Thanks!

[@karin_ross]

Pleasure

[@Michelle.6.0]

If I have 5 chicks about how big should the bin be?

[@ThriftyGarage]

Same size. You will be able to let them get a little bigger before you would need to transfer.

[@Jackbaugh-u9s]

Lol way too many pine chips not even good for them to breathe in

[@meganhickson9495]

How many chick's did you have? I'm getting 15. Is this big enough?

[@ThriftyGarage]

I’d plan for 10-20% loss. We started with 24 and are down to 18. We lost a few chicks and had to dispatch a few that had genetic issues. We also had a couple of roosters that we had to get rid of. I believe we ordered 20 or 22 so they knowingly sent extra for some loss and roosters.

[@aseelgamefowl2771]

you are so cute