Searching for a brooder can be an overwhelming experience because there are so many DIY and out-of-the-box options.
I have zero carpentry skills and little ingenuity so I decided to go with a store-bought solution. After some research, I knew that the best brooder for me would do two things:
- It would demarcate space and contain the chicks. I did not have a large plastic tote or wooden box to dedicate to my project.
- It would include a heater that does not produce light.
Many brooders come with a light bulb that also serves as the heat source. The problem with a combination bulb is that, because chicks require heat 24 hours a day, the light also needs to be on that schedule. Constant light can be stressful to chicks and it’s best to have them on a program that approximates the 14-16 light hours of a spring/summer day. There are plenty of standing lamps with ceramic heat (not light) emitting bulbs that you can position above your brooder. However, I decided to go with a brooder plate because the heat is gentler and more closely mimics the experience of having a mother hen. You fix the plate at a slight angle so that the chicks, no matter their height, can find a comfortable place to press their backs against its warm surface.
In the end, I went with the Incubator Warehouse Insta Brooder with Brooder Heater Plate and am very happy with my choice. This product is well-designed and takes into account most of the problems that plague a first-time chick mama. The brooder is a sturdy and large pop-up tent with a circular shape that prevents chicks from piling and crushing each other in the corners. The tent has small openings in the bottom to run the heater cord and a transparent mesh top so that growing chicks cannot escape. While the kit includes only two paper liners, it was easy enough to replace them with large paper bags. Some reviewers complain of problems with the heating plate, stating that it collapses and breaks apart. I, on the other hand, found it to be sturdy enough to withstand repeated cleanings with a hose (unplugged, of course).
Now, this brooder was spacious for my three chicks, but I wouldn’t push it much beyond that–at most, maybe 5-6 birds. The reason is that they grow: Chicks aren’t ready for their adult coop until they are fully feathered, which takes about 5-6 weeks. At 4 weeks, with their feeder, waterer, and heater, my 3 pullets were a little cramped. While the product description states that the brooder can handle up to 30 chicks, I wouldn’t go anywhere near that number.
Overall, the Insta Brooder was reasonably priced and a perfect fit for my needs.