Cardboard Box
Metal Wash Tub
Plastic Storage Tote
Dog Crate/Rabbit or Bird Cage
Puppy/Baby Gates
In a pinch, setting up some puppy/baby gates in the garage with a tarp underneath can at least keep your new chicks corralled for the time being.
You might need to wrap some plastic around the bottom few inches so your chicks can't slip through the holes in the gates, just like you need to do with the dog crate or cage.
If you have enough gates, you can actually make a pretty large brooding area!
Horse Trough or Stock Tank
Puppy Playpen
Puppy playpens are one of my favorite things to use as a chick brooder.
They're large enough that your chicks will have plenty of room as they grow, and they're super easy to hose off to clean. They're not too expensive - you can get a nice one from Amazon for around $40 - but if you already have one - even better!
They're large enough that your chicks will have plenty of room as they grow, and they're super easy to hose off to clean. They're not too expensive - you can get a nice one from Amazon for around $40 - but if you already have one - even better!
The playpen is already draft-proofed and since it has a top, it will keep your chicks confined inside. I love that the bottom comes out, so you can even move your chicks outside on nice days and let them explore a bit in the grass.
It can be challenging to use a heat lamp with a puppy playpen unless you take the top off, but the Brinsea EcoGlow works great in a playpen. I especially like using a playpen for ducks, who make a big water mess and grow really fast.
It can be challenging to use a heat lamp with a puppy playpen unless you take the top off, but the Brinsea EcoGlow works great in a playpen. I especially like using a playpen for ducks, who make a big water mess and grow really fast.
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