Lea
Moving in
I needed a brooder urgently so this is what I did. It took me 30 minutes once my plan was in place. Im not a professional by any means but it might help with ideas in an emergency.
Initially ... rice in a knotted sock.. heated in microwave to required temp. Placed at side of container so birds could snuggle against it. You could always use a zipped cushion cover and sit them on top but be very aware of the over heating.
NEXT
I emptied toys out of grand kids 50 litre rectangular plastic storage bin with lid
Notes:
Initially ... rice in a knotted sock.. heated in microwave to required temp. Placed at side of container so birds could snuggle against it. You could always use a zipped cushion cover and sit them on top but be very aware of the over heating.
NEXT
I emptied toys out of grand kids 50 litre rectangular plastic storage bin with lid
- Used hole cutting drill to cut 11 x 4cm wide holes on one long side plus a slightly larger hole in top corner to push a cheapy round thermometer into ( optional). Hot air rises and I wanted to know what that temp was. Thats why its in top far corner from light.
- Cut one 4cm hole in centre of end half of tub
- Used acrylic red paint out of kids craft box to paint outside of 40w incandescent light globe so it doesnt irritate their eyes. ( ensure it is TOTALLY dry before use. ( mine was a small round style out of old lamp with switch and power cord attached)
- Test before placing in through end hole. I used a bulldog clip over cord on edge of hole to keep it in place ( light attachment hangs inside) and to ensure that the hole is not totally blocked to allow airflow.
- Kept the cut out disks then broke wooden skewers into short lengths and hot waxed them to disks so I could replugged holes when required without them falling through.
- Optional: I placed a cheapy therm/ humidifier that stands up inside of container as well
Notes:
- With all disks removed my brooder maintains approx 29c.
- With only half of them removed it is about 32c.
- With only two removed its about 34c
- My container fits perfectly into the base of a styrofoam box ( eg. vegetable cooler box) so when I need it for unfeathered chicks I can keep the temperature higher at around 37c by still adjusting the disks
- ALLOW Brooder to warm for a couple of hours and adjust as necessary before using
- NEVER USE WITH ALL DISKS COVERED
- I still place chicks in small icecream containers in brooder using chicken crumble as the flooring
- At the end under the globe I have a small container that holds water with a sponge sitting in it for humidity
- Between the globe and the birds I have stood a half height piece of wood to protect babies from direct globe heat ( its actually the lid off a nesting box)
- As the chicks get older I turn the whole thing on its side and just lay the lid down when I go to feed them.