Here is the brooder box that I made out of a plastic Rubbermaid storage container. I am using a 100 watt bulb for a heater. Using a red bulb is best because it has a calming effect on the chicks and tends to keep them from "pecking" at one another. The marbles inside the waterer aren't decoration or a rock garden for the chicks (although they do add some nice color). They are so the chicks don't drown in their own waterer. Yes - it actually can happen.
Below is a picture of the coop. We plan to put hardware cloth on the indoor window with some shutters that can be opened for ventilation and closed to keep out cold air. There will also be a door installed.
The inside will have white metal barn siding on the walls for easy cleaning. I haven't decided what color to paint the outside walls yet. I've been contemplating the red with white trim barnyard (Old McDonalds farm) look or maybe a tan color to match the barn and the house. I suppose there is plenty of time to decide. I'm open to suggestions.
On the right side of the coop are nesting boxes with a hinged lid that will make it handy for gathering eggs.
Here are pictures of the outside and inside of the nesting boxes...
Last night I dreamed that the chicken coop was finished and you had decided to add a milking barn for 8 Jersey cows. I can still picture it. It was just a dream, right?
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