[smallholder2010]

hi i have a few questions.   if any one could help would be brilliant.

1  does anyone  not turn there eggs while incubateing.  ( i have read that you dont have to turn them)   any ideas people. thanks

2  anyone got any pictures or plans or ideas of a good brooder. as mines no good
it was metal but very very big.   im now looking to build one or use something??
what do you people use.  thanks

hopeing to here some wonderfull ideas .
p.s i read you dont have to turn the eggs in a 1987 poultry book by the way. just not shaw weather it would work tho

[joyfull]

as a broody hen turns her eggs I would advise you do the same.

[Nails]

As far as i know you have to turn the eggs to prevent the yolk from sagging to one side, which will prevent the chick from forming properly, you stop turning on day 18, when turning it has to be an uneven number as well i believe.
I have 4 different brooders, one is a small file hanger, OH put a bottom in it and we have a lamp hanging over it, the other is an old wooden filing cabinet with every thing taken out and laid on the back end with a wire top, and we also have a big dog cage which i use when i take them off heat, for a week or 2 before putting them outside, and the last one is a plastic rabbit cage, ideal for the ducklings!

[GrannieAnnie]

For my hybrids and meat chickens I have 2 brooder sheds, one is 20ftx10ft the other is 5ftx14ft, but for my newly acquired pure breeds, I've got 2 Wilko plastic boxes and I use old metal fridge shelves to stop the chicks jumping out with small heat lamp, then I have my old double kitchen wall cupboard that my Brian turned into a brooder and I've even in emergency stuck 2 banana boxes together with pond netting over the top!

[GrannieAnnie]

and.... the cupboard and banana box!

[smallholder2010]

thank you so much for shareing your photos grannie anne    there brilliant its given me loads to think about...  going to try doing on tommrow now. also what wattage bulb  do you use im shaw mines about 175 watt.

[GrannieAnnie]

In the sheds I use 250w then down to 150w infra red bulbs and in the cupboard brooder in the winter I'll use the heat lamp with the 150w infra red bulbs, but the plastic boxes I use indoors and only use a 60w fireglow bulb in them.  But we have just bought 2 Maywick gas broodersfor a special price, so are now sorting out calor gas as it should work out cheaper than the electric!

It's amazing what you can use for a little output though isn't it? 

[jhub]

Love the innovation GA. Do you loan out Brian - purely for chicken coop building?