A
clothes storage box like the one pictured below was obtained from a local discount
store. Size of the floor, the height of the box, and the construction material
were considered in making the selection. In addition to the size, this particular
box was deemed even more appropriate because light could pass through the walls
and the smooth plastic construction would aid in keeping the box clean. | CLOTHES
STORAGE BOX
16.5
INCHES WIDE, 22.5 INCHES LONG, AND 9 INCHES TALL |
The
cover of the box was placed on a hard surface. A view of the construction indicated
that the plastic top had essentially two framed panels. A one inch border around
each panel was marked with a pencil. An Exacto knife was used to cut along
the marks, thus allowing the creation of two windows in the box cover. The
windows would allow for air exchange without weakening the box cover. The cover
was turned upside down. A piece of 1/4 inch hardware cloth was cut 13 inches
by 19 inches in size. It was situated to cover the two windows. Holes were
drilled in the plastic box cover which were 1/4 inch in diameter. The wire
was then secured to the box cover by 1/4 inch bolts approximately 1/2 inch
in length. Washers were placed on both sides of the plastic cover to keep the
bolts or nuts from cutting through the plastic.   | BROODER
COVER FROM TOP AND BOTTOM |
The
only fixture to be placed in the new brooder is a water bottle. Two kinds are
shown in the picture below. The one on the left has a very small trough, thus
it would be hard for quail-size fowl to drown in the waterer. The one on the
right is so large that marbles should be placed in the trough for very young
or small fowl to help in the prevention of drowning. Both units are completed
with regular "fruit" jars. The water should be changed daily. Even clear looking
water may have an awful smell because of the feed lost in it while the babies
are drinking.  | TWO
TYPES OF WATER BOTTLES |
The
floor is covered in the picture below with Bounty paper towel. It is imperative
that the surface be absorbent and that the babies are able to stand up. Newspaper
is too slick and the legs may be damaged when the babies try to stand. Another
good surface is green "in door, out door" carpet. It is easy to stand up on
and it can also be washed. While one piece is drying another can be in the
brooder. Notice the feed is placed on the floor initially. Some babies are
difficult to teach to eat. Those first few days they may learn to eat by pecking
at a lot of things, one of which is their food if it is placed on the floor.
Later it can be placed in a jar lid or a feeder.  | INSIDE
OF BROODER SHOWING WATER, FEED, AND GUESTS |
In
the name of recycling, the heat source is an old bed light in which the clamp
is broken. A 75 watt light bulb produces the heat and light for the brooder.
Do not use a larger bulb. Always place the lamp on the hardware cloth, never
place the lamp on the plastic.  | BROKEN
BED LAMP WITH 75 WATT BULB |
A
thermometer can also be placed in the brooder. If the babies are comfortable
they will be quiet and scattered out over the floor of the brooder. If they
are too cold they will be huddled under the lamp. If they are too hot they
will be as far away from the lamp as possible. You can help control the temperature
by moving the brooder to a warmer or cooler room and by covering or uncovering
the hardware cloth surface around the lamp.  | BROODER
IN OPERATION, GUESTS AND ALL |
|
