Small chickens are very susceptible to changes in the environment around them. Therefore, fluctuations in temperature, high humidity and insufficient lighting can cause great stress and risk for the development of various diseases.
The solution to this problem can be quite simple - brooder, made for chickens according to own drawings.
What it is?
Brooder is a special house for chickens.in which the birds are in their first weeks of life. In fact, it provides all the same conditions as under the hen.
Types and types
All brooders are different, and they are divided into the following categories:
- To size. It all depends on the number of chickens that are there.
- According to the materials. It can be made of natural wood, chipboard or any other material.
- By design. They are complex and simple. A simple one is a small cage for several individuals, and a complex one can have several levels to accommodate chicks.
Requirements
The main requirements include the following:
- The floor must be dry and non-slip. The best solution would be to lay the two grids down. One of them is larger, made of metal, and the second is kapron - if necessary, it is easy to wash it.
- The presence of a pallet allows you to collect litter. The main material can be plastic, galvanized metal or plywood.
- Holes for ventilation must necessarily occur in the brooder, as they prevent the accumulation of moisture and the collection of harmful gas.
- The lamp serves as a heat source, but chicks should not come into contact with it. It should also not be too powerful, as the bird can become very lethargic. A good option would be to install infrared products that can be adjusted for heating and light power.
- The temperature content depends on the age.
What can you do?
Brooders for growing chickens, easy to do with your own hands, using environmentally friendly, clean and moisture-resistant materials. Cheap cardboard will not work, as it is quickly soaked and cannot be disinfected properly.
To create a capital structure, use plywood or boards.. They need to be impregnated with a special compound that will increase resistance to fire and moisture.
It is important to choose environmental solutions, since toxic substances under the influence of high temperature can lead to mass death of individuals.
Fiberboard is suitable for the frame, but if your task is to make a durable brooder, use plywood. The front wall and removable bottom can be made by hand. For a small chicken, the cell size can be 10 by 10 cm. In the first days, a towel should be laid on the bottom so that the birds are not injured.
The collection bag can be made of iron or high-quality plastic. These materials are easy to clean, and they also do not absorb odors. The device brooder assumes the presence of a lamp with infrared radiation. You can do automated heating for more convenience.
Tools and materials
To create brooders for growing chickens, you will need:
- The main material, whose thickness is 1 cm.
- Hinges and slats.
- Nails and screws.
- Plastic sheet for the pallet.
- Construction mesh.
- Reflector.
- Cartridge and infrared lamp.
- Cable with plug.
How to create?
To make a brooder with your own hands for growing chickens, follow these instructions:
- A sheet of plywood to cut to the size of the future brooder.
- You need to make a solid back wall and the bottom of the plastic tray, which must be periodically washed to keep the chickens clean.
- The side walls should be made of plywood, and they are about 50x50 cm in size.
- After all the components are fastened together. If you wish, you can also make a frame for ease of assembly.
- The frame of the slats is made in such a way that it fits under the structure. At the bottom put the remaining sheet. So is the pallet.
- For the floor frame is also made, only at the bottom should be galvanized mesh. If you lay a newspaper on the floor, the chickens will be warmer.
- After doing the door for a brooder. To do this, take wooden bars, which are filled to the size of the grid.
- The frame of the slats is on the front wall. The door is broadcast on it.
- Next, set heck.
- In the ceiling you need to make a gap for the cable, as well as install the cartridge.
- On the other hand make a fork and dimmer.
- If desired, you can also make a place for a thermometer.
At the end you have to turn the light bulb and put the feeder and water bottle.. At this stage, the construction of a brooder can be completed.
Lighting and heating
It is important to ensure the container is properly heated. The temperature for the content should be 37 degrees, after it you need to slowly lower. Do not fall below 22 degrees.
When you run chicks into the brooders, you should watch their behavior. Fluffed wings of chickens say that they are hot, and twisted that they are cold. The heating cable must pass along the rear wall, after which a thermometer must be installed in order to monitor the temperature conditions.
If you install a dimmer, care will become simpler, as this device will automatically adjust the intensity of light and heat.
How to contain?
Young animals should be provided with heat and light in the right quantity. The optimum temperature is from 25 to 30 degrees.. Regulator temperature simplify care and maintenance.
It is imperative to keep the floor clean and to provide the chicks with a balanced diet. As a litter suitable husks from grain, sawdust, hay and shell. With this base the house will be easy to clean. In winter, you need to give the kids hay and shell, because so their organisms will be saturated with enough vitamins.
Useful tips
At the location of the brooder should be good ventilation. Draft must be completely eliminated. Recommended humidity can be considered 60-70%. In a brooder there must be drinkers and feeders, which can be made of plastic or metal.
Just cut the material to the right size. So that the food is not scattered, it is covered with a metal grid.
Drinking bowl can be open, vacuum, cup or nipple. And, with regard to the feeder, then it is possible to bring the pipe through which feed will occur.
Conclusion
As you can see, in the construction of a brooder is nothing complicated. If you make a little effort, you can make such a house for the chicks with your own hands. So you can learn something new and save money.
