AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Good morning all,

I have almost completed a new double-ended brooder, made primarily from four second-hand doors, along with dozens of 60mm plasterboard screws, a couple of 90cm lengths of 42x19mm pine, a couple of pieces of a length of "structural pine", light battens, electrical cord, hinges and time. Tools used were a circular saw, electric drill with small (2mm?) and large (10mm?) drill bits and a couple of Phillips head bits, tape measure, pencil, scissors, screwdriver and 1m metal rule.

The doors cost $15ea at Lifeline.Left to right their measurements are (were) 216x72cm, 204x52cm, 234x62cm, 204x52cm. The smaller ones were hollow-core, while the 234cm one was solid. It's the one I'd already cut. There's still sawdust on it, sorry. With the exception of the piece second from the top, the others were cut to form 55cm high ends and centre divider along with the two 52cm wide doors to create the two brooder compartments. The door underneath is acting only as a leveler and is not attached.

The piece of the solid door second from the top was later cut into two shelves for food & drink containers. Each 90cm length of the 42x19mm pine had been cut to make a 62cm piece and a 27.5cm offcut. The circular saw turned the other 5mm to sawdust. The shelf above is sitting on both pieces but was was only attached to the longer piece. It also sat on the offcut while being screwed into place. The longer piece of pine prevents wood shavings getting under the shelf, which not only have wasted wood shavings, but would have given mice a comfy nest. With the shelves in place, the offcuts were removed for later use elsewhere.

The 216x62cm door was cut to form the two lids. Two hinges were used for each lid with the hinge placement being covered in another photo to come when I remember.

This is where my earlier planning really paid off. By cutting the ends and centre divider 55cm high instead of 52cm like the sides (the doors used for the sides were 204x52), I may have reduced the likelihood of drafts entering via the lid...at night...and/or in Winter...when the lid is fully closed.

I added lights, food, water and chickens.

Lights setup: I cut a 62cm length of the "structural pine" for each compartment. I drilled a hole for the lamp cord used and wired that to a light batten wired to another light batten and screwed those in place. The light battens were $2 or $3 at Sam's Warehouse and I only had two here. I'll do the other end after my next trip to Ipswich. Hardware store ones start at $14ea.

The offcuts of the 42x19mm pine were used to support the lids while I attached the hinges and don't really serve much purpose now unless some heavy weight or rowdy child sits or jumps on top.

There is room for the lamp cord to go between the lid and the end or centre divider due to the engraved (not the word I'm after) pattern on the door. The cord from each end can meet above the centre divider and go up to a power pack or double adapter suspended above, but... I will probably mount a power point in one or both ends or on the outside.

The other compartment will also make use of the dimmer switch I used in my "two Lifeline desks" brooder.

You will also see that in my haste to get the chickens into the brooder, I forgot to put paper under the feed and water.

Anyway...

There's not much to say but WOW! Thank you for not only posting the pictures but for the instructions too.

How hard do you think it would be to cut a frame in the front and insert thick glass so you can see them without lifting the lid?

You've done such a great job, thanks for showing us

Yes WOW you are very clever

Fantastic! How good id that! Great thinking!

For sale

$50

Doesn't cover the cost of materials, let alone the time it took to build.

A little dirty, but in good used condition. Worked brilliantly, should still work brilliantly...but...

Power plug will be cut off before sale. Get a professional electrician to attach a new plug and test other fittings, etc for safety. I will not take responsibility for any death, injury, etc caused by your use or misuse of my awesome project.

Make me an offer, any offer. This past week has thrown me. I just want it gone.

Now includes half a bag of wood shavings and a few chicken feeders and a waterer or two.

Please make me an offer, any offer. I need it gone.

I'd say free, but it cost me money and a bit of time and effort to build.

Works great.

Just off the Warrego Highway at Plainland, near the Red Elephant. Charles. 0416 028 937