I've never used a brooder before, mostly because I didn't know they existed. I just used our old system of keeping them in a box with a heat lamp overhead. The problem with this has always been that they aren't warm enough. The bulb shines down on them, but being hot air, rises up and away. I don't think I've ever lost a chick from cold, but it was inefficient.
So along comes the brooder. I found this very cheap and easy idea on a chicken site that I can't recall, so my apologies to the inventor!
Basically you need one heat lamp with a bulb, a cardboard box at least twice as wide as the lamp, four wooden stakes, and a staple gun. Using scraps, my only actual cost was about $15 for the lamp cover and a bit for the bulb.
I cut the wooden stakes about 5" higher than the box. Then I took a knife and cut out one side of the box. This is the bottom. On the top side of the box I cut a small hole to fit the base of the heat lamp in.
With my cutting accomplished, it was quick work to drive three staples through the outside of the box and into each stake. For more stability, I was sure to staple each side that touches the box. As you can see, this paid off when one side of my box came loose. The extra side of staples kept the box off the ground until I could tape up the loose edge.
Our new brooder will allow the chicks to cuddle up underneath to be warm, and when they need to cool off they simply step out and scratch around until they're ready for another warm, cozy nap.
Can't wait for tomorrow!
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