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 on the floor 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…
If you raise chicks, then you already know keeping the brooder at a comfortable temp is near impossible. The weather changes from hour to hour, so unless you don’t mind being on call 24/7 to raise and lower the heat lamp, the Brinsea is a MUCH better way. No more worrying about baking your chicks alive under a heat lamp, or wondering if they’re too cold. That’s worth about $80 bucks to me, how about you? About the Brinsea Brooder The EcoGlow Brinsea Brooder only uses 18 Watts (a tenth of the electricity of typical suspended infrared lamps) because the chicks are in contact with its warm underneath surface. The brooder runs at 12v for safety from a mains transformer (supplied) and with the convenience of a generous (about 10 feet) power lead. Different sizes of chicks are accommodated by three adjustable height settings and an indicator light confirms the brooder is connected. Various sizes & styles, price: from about $80 on Amazon Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder for Chicks or Ducklings
A brooder is a heated container that has a temperature-controlled area. It’s used to confine chicks until they are old enough to go outside. You can make or buy one, other than a few mandatory basics, it’s up to you to research and find what setup works best for you. It’s always important to plan ahead and have the brooder completely prepared for new chicks before they arrive. It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on a brooder, what you can make functional with scrap material is always the most rewarding. You can view MANY brooder types HERE