These are the building plans my husband used to build this AWESOME nest box for my hens. Considering the fact that he had to buy a table saw and tools for this project, I certainly can’t say it was a bargain! Nevertheless, still a worthy investment, and a huge accomplishment for his first time building anything. Thank you Dan! 🙂
I’ve had my share of make shift brooders, and all the headaches that go with it. Anybody who has raised baby chicks knows all about cardboard boxes, plastic storage containers, dog crates, etc… as make-do brooders. Flimsy chicken wire tops that shred your arms during cleaning, and an aching back from crawling around the floor for six weeks is another consequence of not having the right equipment.
I searched online for something suitable to build for raising baby chicks. My husband is willing to take the challenge, so this is what I found…
Whenever there are new hatchlings there’s always something obstructing smooth sailing. This year the hot weather is hindering my ability to keep the almost 3-week-old chick’s brooder below 95. I veered from my “always start chicks in mid-October” rule of thumb on raising chicks. I know better, but that was too late to order the chicks I wanted. So now I’m frazzled trying to care for my babies in temperatures that are soaring to near 100 and dropping some 40 degrees at night.
My indoor brooder is too small, the outdoor one is too big, standard 250 heat lamps are too hot, and a 100-watt isn’t hot enough at night. Oh my. Can’t say the chicks are near as stressed out as me, they don’t seem to mind fluctuating temps. But I do mind knowing that fluctuating temps are not in their best interest. So far, I’m quite proud to say, I haven’t lost any of my chicks.
This heat lamp thing is a giant pain, raising it, lowering it, up, down, up, down… it’s ridiculous! This is the last time I’m dealing with a heat lamp, I’m going to switch to radiant heat using the Brinsea Eco Glow 20 Chick Brooder and be done with it once and for all.
As for the outbuilding where the brooder is located, it’s a bare-bones shelter that offers zero help in maintaining a decent temperature. It’s not insulated, so it’s super hot in the summer and offers nothing more than wind and rain protection in the winter. I’m tired of that problem too…Â so today I had the outbuilding insulated and drywall put up. I also ordered an evaporative cooler that can lower the inside temperature by 12 degrees, it’s expected Tuesday.
But that’s not all! The floor was particle board, and now I have vinyl floor covering. Thanks to Craigslist, I was able to find a handyman in one day… 18 guys responded to the ad. I’ll post pictures of the outbuilding as soon as I get everything back in order.
For every problem, there is a solution…Â unfortunately it comes with a price, and now I’m broke.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 