I’m guessing you are here because you are considering getting new baby chicks. I’m going to help you out by showing you how to set up a chicken brooder.
What is a Chicken Brooder
A poultry brooder is a type of heated enclosure used for raising baby birds, such as baby chicks, turkey poults, or goslings. Generally, these types of animals rely on their mother for warmth, so in the mother’s absence, a heat lamp will keep them warm enough to reduce stress on their internal systems.
The brooder consists of several things:
- Brooder Box: Can be bought or made.
- Heat source: There are several types (heat lamps, ceramic lamps, or heat plates)
- Security: It needs to keep out cats, dogs, mice, and small children. The area should be completely self-contained and accessible by only you.
- Food: You will need to provide a food container and appropriate food
- Water: You will need to provide a suitable drinker and clean, fresh water daily.
- Bedding: Suitable for chicks. This can be newspaper, dog pee pads, or paper towels for the first few days, then transition over to pine shavings.
You have multiple options when it comes to setting up a brooder. You may even have a few things on hand that you will need.
How do you Make a Chicken Brooder?
Let’s start with the brooder container. You chicks will need a secure container to run around, stay warm, eat, and drink in.
- A large plastic container, buy the largest you can find at Walmart, Target, etc, works great. Make sure the container is nice and deep, so the chickens don’t try to escape and large enough for them to move around and to place their food, water, and heater in. You will not be using the lid of the container unless you repurpose it with some chicken wire. It will contain most of the liter and keep your chicks safely inside. You may already have one on hand that you use for storage.
- A rabbit hutch with a deep base. We have an old rabbit cage that we use to brood our chicks. The bottom helps keep the litter in and the cage on top keeps the chicks inside.
- A water tank makes a good brooder for your baby chicks. We have an old horse water tank that we have brooded our chicks in. It has high edges that keep them inside. These can be purchased at most local animal feed stores.
- Build your own brooder box for your baby chicks. There are so many ideas out there, but here are a few I like.
What Heat Source do you use for a Chicken Brooder?
- The heating plate is my top choice for a brooder. It is safe and similar to a hen because the chicks snuggle under the heat and close to it. You can adjust the height of the plate easily and there is no chance of fire.
- A heat lamp is another option. They are usually inexpensive and not hard to use. I have used a ceramic heat lamp. It puts off heat, but no red light. It’s also safer to use. My biggest issue with a heat lamp is the fire risk. They must be secure in order to prevent fires.
- An infrared Heater is an option I like too. I use it mostly for my hedgehog. It is great for generating heat in the brooder’s space and would be great if you had lots of chicks, so they are not fighting over the heat source.
Tell Me What Brooder Temperatures Do Chicks Need?
- Day 0-7 (95°F)
- Day 7-14 (90°F)
- Day 14-21 (85°F)
- Day 21-28 (80°F)
- Day 28-35 (75°F)
- Day 35 (70°F)
What Food do you Need for Baby Chicks
This is pretty simple, Baby Chicken feed. I like to at least start out with the medicated food. Your chickens will also need something to eat from. Any shallow dish will do, but you can get a feeder like this one.
What is the Best Water Source for Baby Chicks?
A simple chicken waterer as pictured below is perfect for baby chicks and can also be used when they grow older.
