Here’s everything you need to build your own brooder

By Wendy Bedwell-Wilson

TOBKATRINA/SHUTTERSTOCK

Brooders help you raise chicks without the help of a hen.

Provide multiple feeding and watering stations.

How to Build an Expanding Brooder

STEP 1: create the pieces

Use your tape measure and pencil to measure and mark on the plywood two pieces that are 24 inches by 36 inches for the top and bottom, two pieces that are 18 inches by 36 inches for the front and back, two pieces that are 18 inches by 24 inches for the sides, and two pieces that are 18 inches by 20 inches for the dividers. Cut the pieces of plywood using your saw. Next, measure, mark, and cut four pieces of 2x4 that are 36 inches long, four pieces that are 11 inches long, and two pieces that are 20 1⁄4 inches long.