How to Build a Baby Chicken Coop

Setting up a special area known as a "brooder" for newborn chickens is key to a baby chick's survival, especially in the first few weeks. Baby chickens need to be kept in a warm, dry, well-ventilated area, and protected from predators. You must take special precautions to ensure a safe and comfortable environment.

Things You'll Need

  • Clear plastic bin
  • Heat lamp
  • Carpet knife
  • Staple gun
  • Pliers
  • 1/4- or 1/2-inch hardware clothe
  • 85- or 100-watt red flood lamp
  • Flood lamp reflector
  • Thermometer
  • 16 inches of plumber's pipe strap
  • 1/4-inch to 3/8-inch machine screws and nuts
  • Chick waterer and feeder
  • Paper towels
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Instructions

    • 1

      Cut out the inner section of the lid of a 90-quart clear plastic storage container. Leave the lip of the lid to secure the lid to the container, but remove the center section. You will be covering it with hardware cloth to allow air in but also keep chicks from getting out. Use a carpet knife.

    • 2

      Size and trim hardware cloth to overlap the plastic lid by about 1 inch on all sides. Staple the hardware cloth to the lid using a staple gun. Use pliers to bend down sharp ends of the staples.

    • 3

      Remove wire guard from the flood lamp reflector. Cut four 4-inch pieces of plumber's strap and attach the plumber's strap to the reflector. The plumber's strap will form legs to hold it off the wire surface of the brooder. Use machine screws to attach the straps through the holes that held the wire reflector guard.

    • 4

      Insert an 85- or 100-watt red flood lamp in the reflector.

    • 5

      Place a thermometer inside the brooder under the lamp.

    • 6

      Line the brooder bottom with four layers of paper towels.

    • 7

      Place a chick waterer and feeder in the brooder well away from the flood lamp.