Howdy folks! I built a portable brooder, and seeing as how the Badge Bit didn’t have all that much to go on, I thought I ought to make a post.
I was planning a stationary coop and run, in fact it’s mostly built, but it’s built for full-sized birds - not chicks. I was working to modify it, yet every design I could see or imagine … kinda sucked. I dragged my feet until the BB gave me ideas.
The size was dictated by three factors: the BB requirements, the fact that I already had the walls built for a garden bed project which went sideways, and the two foot length of all cedar fence boards.
My build was also limited because I didn’t want to spend any new money and exclusively reuse materials I had. I was close, but a few odds and ends came from The ReStore.
With these constraints, I set out to build a comfortable space for 12-20 chicks.
I liked the chicken tractor idea, I thought I could combine that style with the materials I had, I’m not disappointed.
Interior dimensions are just over 2 feet wide by 4 feet long. I was looking for a way to make a garden bed with as little material as possible, it failed for reasons, but left me with usable panels.
I largely stayed away from building an entire frame and instead only used a few pieces, letting the 7/8 cedar boards do the bulk of the work.
There’s an attached run a little wider and about 3 feet long. This was made from another Craigslist freebie pickup - it used to be an indoor cat cage.
I added an axle near one end of the coop. While it doesn’t perfectly balance the weight, it does allow for nice leverage and more or less centers the wheels, which accommodates for the run.
The first attempt on an axle was sad. Actually it’s the block in the vice, not the big 3x3 brace. That came after I couldn’t figure out how to affix the 4x4 block. It was helpful though in holding the axle while I tapped the threads into the new brace with the axle. The brace board goes all the way up to the frame below the lid, and is screwed into the support on the inside as well.
Rather than mucking about with nuts and washers, or having some sliding/lifting wheel mechanism, I opted to leave the end of the axle open, slide the wheel on for moves, then off when it’s in its new spot.
This is going to be moved in my mowable meadow, which has replaced my former lawn. Given its proximity to the house, I took the easy way and added heat lamps. I both had them and felt reassured using them. But not so reassured as to get complacent, I added a Bluetooth thermometer just in case.
I had hustled, all of this was done Monday and Tuesday before and after work, because Wednesday was the last day my local hatchery was going to have Bielefelders available. The folks at Dunlap Hatchery were great, super helpful, friendly, and got me exactly what I wanted and on my way in 7 minutes.
I brought home 12 pullets and 4 co*ckerels, I aim to start a bit of a breeding program.
I’m not sure I’ll ever brood chicks without a hen again, but if I do, after 4 days this method is a contender.
Things which would make this set up even better include:
- a wool hen/ off grid heat source
-> I’m thinking low voltage heat emitter pads as a hover brooder, set up in a wool hen
-> wool hen acts as a stand inside the brooder for a battery, small solar panel on top of the lid
- Better walls
-> mycoinsulated SIPs built with thin pine boards on the inside
-> build framing with bolts and brackets for disassembly and storage
- lighter lid
-> That thing is heavy. The metal is probably unnecessary, but does add another layer of wind/rain protection and the cedar adds a ton of insulation…
-> going back to “wool hen” though, I’d prefer a lid which let in more light while also being insulative and less massive. Oh and cheap/free while I’m at it.
- somewhere for them to roost
- some way for me to keep the food inside while moving (shelf?)
Questions?
Want to see more pictures? Of what?
What would you change?
