How to Make a Brooder for Chicks
Set up a healthy brooder space for your chicks using a container, heat lamp or plate, clean bedding, and safe feeders. Learn the right temperature range, how to spot early issues, and how to keep your chicks warm, clean, and growing well from day one.
Materials
- Container
- Brooder Heating Plate or Heat Lamp
- Feeder
- Waterer
- Pine Shavings
- Hardware Cloth or Wire Cover
Instructions
- Choose a draft-free brooder container with good airflow.
- Add 1–2 inches of pine shavings for soft, absorbent bedding.
- Install a heat lamp or brooder plate, aiming for 90–95°F the first week.
- Place feeders and waterers away from the heat source.
- Monitor chick behavior to adjust temperature as needed.
- Clean the brooder daily and fully refresh bedding weekly.
- Watch for signs of stress, pasty butt, or overcrowding.