How to Make a Shelter for Chicks

If you plan to raise chicks, you must provide a shelter the baby birds can safely live in until they mature. A bird brooder is a type of shelter that will keep chicks safe from dangers, like the elements and other animals. Commercial brooders are available at farm supply stores, but making your own shelter for your chicks is simple. A few basic materials are all you need to build a brooder that will shelter your baby chicks.

Things You'll Need

  • Clear, 90-qt. plastic container
  • Dish soap and water
  • Measuring stick or ruler
  • Craft knife
  • Chicken wire
  • Wire cutters
  • Stapler
  • Bedding made for chicks
  • Shredded paper towels
  • Heat lamp
  • Thermometer
  • Chick feeder, feed and supplements
  • Chick waterer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Choose a clear, 90-qt. plastic container. The clear container will allow you to see the chicks and to monitor them from any angle. Before converting the container to a brooder, clean it with dish soap and rinse well with water. Dry completely.

    • 2

      Use a ruler or measuring stick to measure 2 inches inward from all sides of the container's lid. Following the measurements, cut out the inside of the lid with the craft knife. Ensure that no sharp edges are left.

    • 3

      Measure the chicken wire to match the size of the entire container lid. Cut the wire to size so that the edges of the wire fit under the lip of the lid. Use a stapler to attach the wire to the edges of the lid to make the top of the chick's shelter. The wire allows plenty of ventilation for the chicks while keeping them in the brooder and other animals out of it.

    • 4

      Cover the bottom of the brooder with bedding made for chicks and shredded paper towels. Replace the bedding as needed to keep it fresh and clean. Always use enough bedding to completely cover the bottom of the container so the chicks never have to walk or stand on a slick surface.

    • 5

      Add supplies to the shelter. Provide a feeder with chick food and supplements and a waterer made especially for chicks and fill with fresh, clean water. The brooder should have enough space so that several chicks can eat or drink at the same time.

    • 6

      Provide a heat lamp for the chicks. Attach the lamp to the side of the brooder or hang it above the shelter. Test the temperature of the lamp before placing chicks in the brooder and under the lamp. Use the thermometer to ensure the temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit directly under the heat source. The shelter should be arranged so that every chick can be under the heat lamp as well as able to move away from the direct heat to cool themselves. Check the temperature of the lamp every few hours until you know it provides a consistent heat.

    • 7

      Observe your chick's behavior once you introduce them into the shelter. You may have to adjust the position of the heat lamp depending on how they react to the temperatures inside the brooder. If they constantly make loud peeping noises, they may be too cold. If the chicks avoid being directly under the heat lamp, they are likely overheating and the temperature of the brooder should be brought down immediately to avoid harming the chicks.