|
|
Post by Jen on Sept 4, 2006 19:55:56 GMT 7
Thought I would post some pictures of the brooder I made for only $22 solid bedside cupboard from a s/h shop ... $1 !!! Piece of perspex from salvage yard ... $4 Light fitting from salvage yard... $1 Dimmer switch from Bunnings ... $14 Themometer from two buck shop ... $2 Paint and scaps of wood from our garage ... free Turn the cupboard upside-down, Cut a hole in the door and fit perspex, cut hole in shelf and fit holey piece to let the heat up. cut a hole in the top to let air out and add adjustable slide. screwed themometer to the door and gave it a quick sand and paint on the outside and wired it up and here is the finished product... so easy!  The door closes flush up against the shelf so the birds cant get into the other section. Hmmm Might put a lip on the front of the shelf in case they get up against the door or I wont be able to open it without them falling out if they escape from the basket.  Slide vent with perspex slide to allow adjustment of air  I also made Holly one similar and I made another one which lays down with the light at one end so the bird can move closer or further away. Might make one with a perch and a wire cage front next to use as a hospital brooder for sick birds. |
|
|
|
Post by holly on Sept 4, 2006 21:52:19 GMT 7
lol trust me, jens is alot beter then mine, so just stick with her design  i wouldnt mind (wen i get the money) to make 2, one just like this, and one just like the lay down (i love the lay down brooder) but thats wen i get money lol  |
|
|
|
Post by Natenla on Sept 5, 2006 4:57:57 GMT 7
Thanks for that!! I have been looking for ways of making a brooder as I am planning on pulling some of the next lot of babies for handraising!  |
|
|
|
Post by Silvercloud on Sept 5, 2006 8:20:17 GMT 7
Thanks for that Jen. Now I gotta put the man to work. |
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Sept 6, 2006 5:44:56 GMT 7
Thats cool jen!!!! Great work!
When I built mine, I think it cost me $2. LOL. Everything I got for free. The timber I got somewhere for free, the light etc dad got for free (he is an electrition), the perspex i got for free off of my nanna and pop's old house before it was demolished. come to think of it.........the only things i paid for where the screws............ total cost 40c! lol
|
|
|
|
Post by Jen on Sept 6, 2006 9:38:57 GMT 7
Oh well Peter, I still think $22 is pretty cheap so I'm happy I noticed some almost identical ones to the one I did for Holly at a bird shop in perth for $199. She got a good solid stereo speaker box for hers and "delicately" removed speaker and covers etc with sledgehammer and screwdriver! Hers would have cost about the same price as mine to make. The only difference was I made the front with perspex on hinges which drops down instead of the door like mine. But basically the same principle. I will get my other one out of the shed and post some photos too so people can see how to do one that lies flat. It is good as the birds can get further away from the heat if they are too hot which allows you to get away with not buying the dimmer switch, which is the most expensive part of the whole thing. Although I prefer to have the added assurance of a dimmer switch you can make do without them but you have to be able to adjust the amount of ventilation a bit more and experiment with different light bulb wattages so if it gets too hot with 100 watts then try a 75 or 60 or even 40 watt globe. I think the absolute most important thing you must do is have it ready well in advance of needing it and experiment with it to make sure you know how to get the required temperatures etc right. Also I use more expensive light globes because the cheaper ones vary in quality and reliability and for the sake of a couple of extra bucks its worth it because if it blows in the middle of a cold night you could lose the chicks. Jen |
|
|
|
Post by holly on Sept 6, 2006 9:47:45 GMT 7
"delicately" removed speaker and covers etc with sledgehammer and screwdriver! lol, and just so everyone knows, i had a great time doing it and would do it again ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Silvercloud on Sept 6, 2006 10:07:06 GMT 7
Hahaha Holly, I'll keep you in mind if I ever need things smashed up.
|
|
|
|
Post by holly on Sept 6, 2006 10:45:21 GMT 7
yes please do you shoulda seen me going at our brick BBQ at my old house, took a couple days, but i did it! and was very pround of the mess of rubble i made ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Matt on Sept 6, 2006 13:29:12 GMT 7
Great work Jen, they look really good. I know what you mean in regard to the prices in shops, it seems they charge through the roof when you can make them yourself for much less, $22 is nothing.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter on Sept 6, 2006 13:35:51 GMT 7
Oh well Peter, I still think $22 is pretty cheap so I'm happy Hell yer! It is great! $22 for that is great! We have 2 brooders. They are great to have there in case of an emergency |
|
|
|
Post by LittleBudgie2005 on Mar 29, 2007 18:57:08 GMT 7
Hiya Jen... Is there any chance you can post picture of your brooder I am thinking of having a go at making one please.
Thanks... ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Jen on Mar 29, 2007 20:32:02 GMT 7
No worries, I have sent them to you in an email as I deleted them from my photobucket files.
If you don't get them then just let me know.
Jen
|
|
|
|
Post by LittleBudgie2005 on Mar 30, 2007 14:07:25 GMT 7
Thanks Jen... Got them... ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by sebzpets on Apr 14, 2007 3:58:27 GMT 7
My brooder for my chickens is a rabbit hutch. I was given 2 hutches when I rescued a bunny last year. I fits a pr of Belgian's nicely and the other one sits beautifully in my kitchen. I just added a lamp that clips on the side...total cost $13. It seems we can use anything if we are creative enough and keep an open mind.
|
|
