Types of Brooders

Brooders are temperature-controlled enclosures for hatching and raising baby birds. They are used by agricultural breeders of poultry, commercial purveyors of domestic birds such as parakeets and canaries, and wildlife rescue. They are also employed by rehabilitation and repopulation scientists for saving endangered species, and for individuals who make small-scale purchases of baby chickens and ducklings or need to nurse a sick or injured bird. Brooders are available commercially or can be built as a do-it-yourself project.

  1. Commercial or Hospital Brooders

    • If you are unsure of the features you'll need in your brooder, consult with local sellers of commercial brooders, such as farm and ranch supply stores and breeders. Commercial brooders are built to maintain the ideal temperature, humidity, air quality and airflow for baby birds, who do not respond well to variations in temperature and can die if chilled or overheated. They are also equipped with darkening shades and appropriate lighting; some young birds are stressed by bright light and prefer a dark nest-like environment, while others do well in lit enclosures. Your commercial brooder should know which style will make the best home for your fledglings. Commercial brooders are often called hospital brooders and are used as a habitat for birds that are ill or have been injured.

    Aquarium Brooders

    • Many bird hobbyists and professional breeders use modified aquariums as brooders. These should be equipped with light, heat, air filters and humidity control that can be monitored with an attached thermometer and hygrometer (humidity measurer). Many pet stores have lid attachments for aquariums with these features built in. You can DIY an aquarium into a brooder by placing it on a heating pad turned on to the low setting, lining it with towels covered by a layer of paper towels for easy cleanup, and screening the top. Add a dish of water for humidity and keep the temperature set and steady at the setting the breeder or vet advises. Use another towel to cover all or part of the aquarium to maintain the correct temperature and make the bird(s) feel secure.

    Box Brooders

    • If you purchase baby chickens, ducks or other poultry, they should be of an age where they do not need much time in a heated brooder, if any. Once the babies have graduated from the commercial or aquarium brooder, move them into a box-style brooder that gives them room to move around and eat and drink water without being crowded. Box brooders can be made out of anything from wood panels to large Plexiglas or plastic containers. Rabbit hutches made of small-gauge wire mesh make good intermediate brooding boxes. Keep these containers in a warm environment---inside the house or a heated barn or garage---and keep them stocked with food and water. Brooder cleanliness is also very important to the health of your flock, so clean the habitat daily.