Chic Chicks: DIY Chick Brooder

A chick brooder houses new chicks in a warm, contained, weather-proof and pest-proof environment.

While brooders can be made out of virtually anything, from plywood to a converted plastic tub, upcycling an old piece of household furniture can add an element of ingenuity, creativity and can become quite a talking point.

The aim is to create an easy-to-make home for vulnerable chicks to grow happily to reach a more hardy size. The enclosure should allow for an insulated space with natural air-flow and protection from the elements. Heat at floor level with a heat-pad, or a heat lamp suspended over the brooder if ceiling space allows, works well. NOTE: ensure any heating is fire-resistant and well away from dry debris. Seek professional advise on the best heating method for you.

Add wood chips, a feeder and water dispenser and you’re ready to go.

In this project, a retro bedroom dresser was lovingly upcycled. While some drawers were kept in situ for handy storage, the main drawers were removed and DIY skills came into play to create a brooder with lockable mesh doors.

The internal panels are painted in low sheen kitchen paint, creating a wipeable, light space for cleaning and spotting any pesky pests such as ticks.

Every upcycled piece of furniture will differ in size and shape. This DIY project refers to measures specific to this example, which can be adapted to suit.

How we made a Chick Brooder

Materials used

an old dresser
38mm x 19mm dressed pine, length to your requirement
38mm angle brackets x 8, comes in packs of 4 with screw provided
50mm corner braces x 8, comes in packs of 4 with screw provided
30 x 15mm U shape staple nails
12mm x 12mm x 0.7mm aviary mesh or similar sized chicken wire
4 x 50mm hinge butts
2 x 38mm barrel bolt

Method

Step 1: Firstly, prepare the dresser. Remove any mirrors and dismantle supporting struts, as/if required.

Identify the ‘brooding room’ by removing drawers to create the required space. In this instance, we removed the larger drawers.

Remove any supporting drawer runners or dividers to create a clean cavity. Keep any framework that may act as a ‘lip’ to help with the closing of the newly created doors you’ll be making later.

TIP: if no lip exists on the furniture, use strips of 10mm x 10mm wood pinned to the inside base and ceiling, inset approx 25mm.

Step 2: Sand all surfaces that you wish to paint, including faces of any drawers you wish to keep, legs and any internal rough areas that may have been exposed when removing internal drawer runners.

Paint prepared and exposed wood with undercoat/primer. Finish with 2-3 top coats of your choice (this project used low sheen Resene Alabaster for the ‘brooding’ space, 1/4 Tea for the outside body of the brooder, and ½ Tea for the drawer faces and legs).

Step 3: 38mm x 19mm dressed pine is ideal for small door frames. Measure cavity, cut vertical and horizontal door pieces to suit the space, allowing a 3-4mm gap all round for an easy fit.

Join each corner of each door with a 38mm angle bracket, on the inside face (as shown)– a total of 8 brackets for 2 doors. Use a set square to help ensure they remain square. TIP: Once assembled, place in position on furniture to check for a correct fit. If slightly tight, now is the opportunity to plane any sides that stick.

Stain or paint the wooden door frames, to taste.

When stain or paint is dry, screw 1 x 50mm corner brace to each of the 8 inside door corners (as shown).

Step 4: Measure and cut aviary mesh to size with pliers, ensuring none of the mesh protrudes wider than the door frame. Place doors on a flat surface with the bracket angles facing up. This is the side to nail the mesh to and will be the inside of the door. Use 2.0mm x 15mm U shaped staples, starting in each corner of the mesh, and complete with enough staples to ensure the mesh is properly secured.