Cheap and Easy DIY Chick Brooder: How to Build One at Home
With bird flu concerns on the rise, many people are turning to backyard chicken keeping for a steady egg supply. If you’re bringing home baby chicks, they’ll need a warm, safe brooder for their first few weeks. Instead of buying an expensive setup, you can build a cheap and easy DIY chick brooder using a plastic tote, hardware cloth, and a few simple materials.
This step-by-step guide will show you how to make a budget-friendly chick brooder that’s safe, easy to clean, and perfect for raising healthy chicks.
What is a Chick Brooder?
A brooder is a heated enclosure where chicks live until they’re fully feathered and ready for the coop. It provides warmth, ventilation, bedding, food, water, and space for them to grow. A well-designed brooder keeps chicks comfortable while minimizing mess and maintenance.
Why Use a Plastic Tote for a Chick Brooder?
A large plastic tote makes an excellent brooder because it’s:
Affordable – Costs much less than commercial brooders.
Easy to clean – Wipe down messes quickly.
Secure – Keeps chicks safe from drafts and household pets.
Lightweight and portable – Move it easily as needed.
Materials Needed for Your DIY Chick Brooder
Large clear plastic tote (50+ gallons recommended)
Hardware cloth (1/2-inch mesh)
Zip ties
Drill with small bit (for attaching hardware cloth)
Utility knife or box cutter (for cutting the lid)
Pine shavings (for bedding)
Brinsea EcoGlow brooder (or another safe heat source)
Chick feeder and waterer
Small roosting bars (optional but recommended)
Step-by-Step Instructions to Build a Cheap Chick Brooder
1. Modify the Lid for Proper Ventilation
Chicks need fresh air, but you also want to keep them safe and contained. Here’s how to modify the tote lid:
Use a utility knife to cut a large rectangular hole in the lid, leaving at least a 2-inch border for stability.
Cut a piece of hardware cloth slightly larger than the hole.
Drill small holes around the edges of the cutout, spaced every 2–3 inches.
Secure the hardware cloth using zip ties, threading them through the drilled holes. Trim excess zip tie ends.
2. Set Up the Heat Source
Chicks require a consistent heat source to stay warm. We use a Brinsea EcoGlow brooder, which mimics a mother hen by allowing chicks to go under it when they need warmth. It’s safer than heat lamps and prevents overheating or fire hazards. Place the brooder inside the tote, leaving space for chicks to move in and out freely.
3. Add Bedding for Comfort
Cover the bottom of the tote with 1–2 inches of pine shavings to absorb waste and provide insulation. Avoid cedar shavings, as their strong scent can harm chicks’ respiratory systems.
4. Provide Food and Water
Position a chick feeder and waterer inside the brooder, away from the heat source. Chicks need constant access to fresh, clean water and high-quality chick starter feed for healthy growth.
5. Install Small Roosting Bars (Optional but Recommended)
Chicks love to perch. Adding low roosting bars helps them develop balance and prepares them for life in the coop. You can make simple roosts using small wooden dowels or scrap wood secured inside the tote.
Tips for Maintaining Your DIY Chick Brooder
Check temperature regularly – Chicks should be comfortable, not huddling tightly or avoiding the heat source.
Keep water clean – Raise the waterer slightly to prevent bedding from being kicked into it.
Refresh bedding as needed – Spot clean daily and replace fully when damp or smelly.
Give chicks room to grow – Upgrade to a larger brooder or transition to a coop as they get bigger.
Final Thoughts
This cheap and easy DIY chick brooder is a budget-friendly, effective way to keep your chicks warm and secure. By using a plastic tote, a ventilated lid with hardware cloth, pine shavings, and a safe heat source, you’ll create the perfect environment for raising happy, healthy chicks.
Are you setting up a chick brooder this season?