Category Archives: Poultry Equipments

Homemade Egg Incubator

Making A Homemade Incubators-20+ Ideas For Hatching Eggs

A homemade incubator is like your own mini hatchery, letting you hatch eggs whenever you need. Sometimes, hens don’t want to sit on their eggs, so having a homemade incubator can be a lifesaver. It’s something I learned firsthand when my hens weren’t broody, but I still wanted more chicks for my backyard farm.

With a homemade incubator, you can pick which eggs you want to hatch. This means you can choose the healthiest and strongest eggs from your best hens. I remember feeling proud when I could carefully select the eggs for my homemade incubator, knowing it would help keep my flock thriving and robust.

1- Open Styrofoam Homemade Egg Incubator

To create your own homemade incubator like the one from Backyard Duck, it’s surprisingly affordable, costing only $10. All you need to do is cut an opening in the top to ensure proper airflow. Using a 15-watt bulb and ensuring good ventilation, you can expect fertile eggs in just 10 days. I remember building a similar homemade incubator myself, following similar instructions, and being amazed at how well it worked for hatching chicken eggs right at home.

Homemade Incubator

Open Styrofoam Homemade Egg Incubator, image via: Backyard Duck

1- Wooden Box Homemade Incubator

To create your own homemade egg incubator following the backyardchickens design, start by searching for a spacious wooden box in your home or garage. If you don’t have one, consider asking around or checking local garage sales. The basic requirements for the incubator are simple: you’ll need a socket, bulbs, and a thermometer. I’d suggest carefully reading through the detailed construction steps provided on backyardchickens to ensure you’re setting up everything correctly. This way, you’ll be all set to witness the joy of chicks hatching in your homemade incubator soon.

Homemade Incubator

Wooden Box Homemade Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

2- Styrofoam Homemade Incubator

I’ve had experience with syrofoam homemade incubators, and they can be a lifesaver if you don’t have a broody mother hen to hatch your chicken eggs. The ones from instructables offer a great option, especially if you’re on a budget, as they can be made for just $30. You’ll need to gather some spare parts from around your home, but it’s worth the investment of time and effort. Based on what I’ve learned, I’d suggest carefully following the instructions provided by instructables to ensure you build the incubator correctly and efficiently. This way, you’ll have a reliable homemade solution ready to hatch your eggs in no time.

Styrofoam Incubator

Styrofoam Homemade Incubator that cost you only 30$ to build, image via: instructables

3- Homemade Drawer Incubator

We like this DIY incubator plan by backyardchickens more than the others as it has an auto turning facility for 20 eggs that is an integral part of hatching eggs. Look for identical old drawers in your storage space or buy the recycled one from the market. You need to have 2 drawers attached so that required depth can be created.

DIY incubator

Homemade Drawer Incubator with auto turning facility, we love the way how it is made, image via: backyardchickens

4- Styrofoam Broccoli Box Homemade Incubator

You can find it on any grocery store easily. With basic skills and simplest items you can create incubator for hatching eggs like this one by nanaglenmum with your convenience under safe conditions.

Styrofoam Broccoli Box Incubator

Styrofoam Broccoli Box Incubator, image via: nanaglenmum

6- Vanity Cabinet Homemade Incubator

I’ve personally found the homemade incubator from Backyard Chickens to be fantastic. It offers ample space, clear viewing windows, strong ventilation, and a sleek design. In my experience, it’s perfect for handling large batches of eggs, with the capacity to hold over 200 if needed. If you’re dealing with significant hatching demands, I highly recommend considering this option. With its features and capacity, it’s a reliable choice for successfully hatching a large number of eggs.

Vanity Cabinet Incubator

Vanity Cabinet Incubator, image via: Backyard Chickens

7- Inexpensive Homemade Incubators

Read good information on how different incubator plan like this one by raising-happy-chickens works and what their utility is. Not all the inexpensive plans would bring fruitful results to you; they might turn out to be a failure. Therefore, chose wisely before making the right choice so that you end up having lots of little fellows running around in your backyard. You need chick brooder when you have little chickens comes out from the incubators.

Inexpensive Incubators

Inexpensive Homemade Incubators, image via: raising-happy-chickens

8- Styrofoam Cooler For Chickens

Understanding airflow and temperature is crucial for any successful homemade incubator project, like the one by stormthecastle. In my experience, proper bulb adjustment is key to success; otherwise, your eggs could be at risk. However, keep in mind that due to limited space, this plan may only accommodate 4 or 5 eggs at a time. If you’re fortunate, you might find a larger box at your local store to adapt the same plan. Embrace the creative process and solve your hatching needs affordably.

Styrofoam Cooler For Chickens

Styrofoam Cooler For Chickens, image via: stormthecastle

9- Styrofoam Box Homemade Incubator

This simple idea produces great results. This homemade egg incubator by instructables starts out with an ordinary Styrofoam food cooler. Follow these easy instructions that will show you how to add a few pieces of wood and some electronics and you will have a homemade incubator that will hatch eight eggs for you.

Styrofoam Box Incubator

Styrofoam Box Incubator with an ordinary Styrofoam food cooler, image via: instructables

10- Cardboard Box Incubator

Sometimes, despite hens laying plenty of eggs, they won’t sit on them for hatching. I’ve faced this issue before. That’s where making an incubator from a cardboard box comes in handy; it takes care of hatching the eggs for you.

Using just a couple of boxes, a small watt light bulb, and a few other items, you can select and hatch eggs from your best laying hens. I’ve tried this method myself, and it’s surprisingly effective.

With almost zero investment, you can create an efficient incubator like the one by homegrownorg. I’ve found it to be a great way to have a steady supply of chicks for selling or raising. It’s a simple yet effective solution that anyone can try.

Cardboard Box Incubator

Cardboard Box Incubator, image via: homegrownorg

11- Large Egg Box

The homemade incubator by motherearthnews is a fantastic option for those in the chick-selling business. It’s something I’ve considered myself. This large egg box can handle multi-stage incubation for up to 150 eggs simultaneously. I’ve read that it can hatch 30 eggs every day, which is impressive.

This egg hatching incubator is designed to maintain a steady temperature, making it perfect for hatching chicken, duck, or guinea eggs. Based on my knowledge, it seems like a versatile and efficient solution for hatching eggs in larger quantities. If you’re in the business of selling chicks, this incubator could greatly streamline your operations and increase your output.

Cardboard Box Incubator

Cardboard Box Incubator, image via: motherearthnews

12- Wooden Egg Hatcher

This simple and effective design will enable you to incubate and hatch a few chicken eggs during the winter as a fun family project. Follow these detailed instructions and create a DIY incubator like this one by hobbyfarms with your kids, then let the kids monitor the progress of the eggs for a few weeks until they hatch. The incubator is small enough to remain in the house, but large enough to incubate 6-8 eggs.

Wooden Egg Hatcher

Wooden Egg Hatcher, image via: hobbyfarms

13- Auto Turning Hatcher

Turning eggs during the incubation process is crucial for successful hatching, but it can be time-consuming. I’ve experienced this myself. This unique design by piwakawakavalley solves that problem by gently turning the eggs automatically. It’s something I wish I had when I was hatching eggs manually.

Chicken eggs require turning three times a day throughout their three-week incubation period. For those with busy schedules, this can be quite challenging. With this auto-turning hatcher idea, you can free up valuable time while still ensuring successful hatching. Based on my knowledge, this innovation offers a convenient solution for busy poultry enthusiasts. If you’re looking to streamline your hatching process and reduce the time commitment, I highly recommend giving this idea a try.

Auto Turning Hatcher

Auto Turning DIY Incubator, image via: piwakawakavalley

14- Solar Powered Homemade Incubator

Using a solar-powered egg hatching machine like the one from instructables is a game-changer, especially for off-grid living. It’s a concept I’ve found intriguing. This innovative incubator keeps eggs at the ideal temperature range of 99 to 102 degrees Fahrenheit without relying on electricity. It’s fascinating how it utilizes renewable energy to power the incubation process.

With this solar-powered incubator, you can keep costs low while maintaining high production and profits. It’s a win-win situation that I’ve seen firsthand. By reducing reliance on electricity and utilizing solar power, you not only save money but also contribute to sustainability efforts. If you’re looking to invest in an eco-friendly and cost-effective solution for hatching eggs, this solar-powered incubator is definitely worth considering.

Solar Powered Incubator

Solar Powered Incubator, image via: instructables

15- Cooler Homemade Incubator

In this idea we will learn how to transform a large, ordinary, insulated cooler into a functioning homemade egg hatcher such as this one by backyardchickens. This easy to build incubator can hold and incubate several dozen eggs at a time so you can always have chicks on  hand for raising or selling.

The inside rack make egg turning quick and easy. The insulated cooler helps maintain just the right internal temperature from top to bottom.

Cooler Incubator

Cooler Homemade Incubator, we just love this unique design, image via: backyardchickens

16- Freezer Homemade Incubator

Transform an old, non-working freezer into a highly efficient homemade incubator by backyardchickens with these detailed instructions. Safely and effectively incubate and hatch close to 100 eggs every few weeks with this idea. The freezer insulation will help maintain a constant interior temperature for the eggs.

If you have access to a non-working freezer, this DIY build could be almost free. All the little chicks it will enable you to hatch will be profit to you.

Freezer Incubator

Freezer Incubator made using non-working freezer, image via: backyardchickens

17- 300 Eggs

If you need a large supply of chicks on hand at all times, we highly suggest you to make this homemade incubator by backyardchickens if need to hatch large number of eggs. will meet that need. It’s a wood cabinet design that is 4 feet tall will hold 300 eggs, has automatic timer, thermostat control, circulation fan and auto rotating for the shelves.

The clear glass front allows you to see the multiple shelves holding the eggs and monitor the interior heat and humidity. Great for placement in an unheated garage or barn.

homemade incubator

Egg hatcher with capacity of 300 eggs, image via: backyardchickens

18- Hatch-O-Bator Homemade Incubator

Use recycled parts to create this efficient Hatch-O-Bator that will get the job done with a minimal investment. Very little time and money will go into this DIY building project by backyardchickens yet you will reap big profits with all the chicks you will be able to hatch and sell.

The main building components are a few pieces of leftover plywood, a water heater thermostat and a couple of 15 watt light bulbs. Cheap to build and cheap to maintain.

DIY building project,

Hatch-O-Bator Homemade Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

19- Wine Cooler Homemade Incubator

An old refrigerated wine cooler repurposed into an egg hatcher by backyardchickens is a brilliant recycled project. It’s something I’ve considered trying myself. This innovative idea allows you to create an efficient egg hatcher at little to no cost. The versatility of being able to set it up both outside or inside your home is a plus.

The glass front of the wine cooler makes it easy to view the eggs without opening the door, which helps maintain consistent heat levels. I’ve found this feature to be particularly useful for monitoring the hatching process without causing temperature fluctuations.

If you’re interested in trying this DIY project, I’d suggest thoroughly cleaning the wine cooler and removing all the inside and electrical components first. Then, customize your egg racks to fit snugly inside the cooler box. Adding a light, fan, thermometer, and fertile eggs will complete the setup. It’s a simple yet effective way to repurpose old materials into something useful for hatching chicks.

Wine Cooler Incubator

Wine Cooler Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

20- Homemade Incubator

Follow these free instructions to build your own homemade incubator by backyardchickens that will hatch dozens of eggs at once.  The double door design will allow you to do maintenance work in the heat chamber without losing heat in the incubator.

A printed diagram plus pictorial instructions make this DIY build simple for even beginners. If you want to hatch large quantities of chicks at once, then this egg hatcher will enable you to do so with minimal effort and expense.

Homemade Incubator

Large Size Double Door Design DIY Incubator, image via: backyardchickens

21- Cabinet Style Homemade Incubator

Making an incubator like the one by rockridgefarms can be a fun project that also adds style to your home. It’s something I’ve found appealing myself. The great thing about this design is its versatility; you can hatch as many eggs as you want by adjusting the number of shelves you install. Plus, its fancy appeal allows you to place it anywhere, even in your dining hall.

Everything you need to make this incubator is readily available either at home or at a local store. This convenience makes it an accessible project for anyone interested in hatching eggs at home. The cherry finish adds a touch of elegance, making it a lively addition to any home setting.

If you’re considering building your own homemade incubator, I’d suggest giving this design a try, especially if you value both functionality and aesthetics. With its stylish appearance and practical features, it’s sure to be a conversation starter in your home.

Cabinet Style Incubator

Cabinet Style Incubator, we love the way how it is made, image via: rockridgefarms

22- Wooden Board DIY Incubator

Creating a two-level DIY incubator with eggs and water on the lower end and a fan and bulb on the upper end is a clever design. It’s something I’ve seen before, and it’s efficient. To build the outer structure, using water-resistant wooden slabs joined together is a practical choice. I’ve found that this not only provides durability but also helps maintain the desired shape of the incubator, ensuring optimal functionality.

This setup allows for effective temperature control and airflow, crucial for successful egg incubation. I’ve learned that having separate levels for eggs and water helps regulate humidity levels more precisely. With the fan and bulb positioned at the upper end, heat distribution is more even, promoting uniform incubation.

For those considering building their own homemade incubator, I’d suggest following a detailed guide or plan to ensure the construction process goes smoothly. It’s essential to pay attention to details like sealing gaps and ensuring proper insulation to prevent temperature fluctuations. By investing time and effort into building a well-designed homemade incubator, you can increase your chances of successfully hatching eggs.

Conclusion

A homemade incubator has many benefits such as cost, custom design unlike market ones that are expensive. Making your own incubators also helps you to keep your flock size larger as broody hens are not always ready to go for brooding or less motherhood habits.

You can select any of these incubators we have shown you above that best match your needs. Hope this article has guided you well in making your own incubator.

References:

Researchgate, June 2021, International Journal of Computational Science and Engineering 24(4), “Design and implementation of chicken egg incubator for hatching using IoT”, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/352777744_Design_and_implementation_of_chicken_egg_incubator_for_hatching_using_IoT

Extention University of Missouri, Revised February 2003 “Small Flock Series: Incubation of Poultry”, https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/g8353

SSRN, 18 Mar 2021, “Development and Construction of Poultry Egg Incubator Temperature and Humidity Controller (Peitch) With SMS Notification”, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3779301

homemade chicken plucker

13 Homemade Chicken Pluckers on a Budget

When it comes to raising chickens for food, one of the tasks that can be a bit of a hassle is plucking their feathers. I remember when I first started raising chickens on my family’s farm, plucking feathers by hand took so much time and effort. That’s where homemade chicken pluckers come in handy – they make the job much easier and quicker.

Having your own chicken plucking machine might seem unconventional to some, but for those of us who rely on home-raised chickens for sustenance or for someone living off the grid and relying heavily on backyard chickens for daily protein, it’s incredibly practical. I’ve found that especially when living off the grid, where resources might be limited, a homemade chicken plucker can be a game-changer. It not only saves time but also ensures efficiency in processing poultry for daily meals.

Scouring through those DIY chicken plucker plans reminds me of the time I spent researching and experimenting to find the best design for my own homemade plucker. I remember feeling accomplished when I finally built one that suited my needs perfectly. With these plans, you’ll have a head start in creating your own efficient and cost-effective chicken plucker.

1: The Jack McGee Homemade Chicken Plucker

With a few pieces of scrap wood and some leftover PVC pipe, Jack McGee created his own budget-friendly homemade chicken plucker by grit. We recommend this to those who have a small flock of fowls, it works fast, cleans easily and is small enough to store easily. If you are recycling materials you have on hand to build this DIY chicken plucker, it could end up costing you nothing for out-out-pocket expenses.

The Jack McGee Homemade Chicken Plucker

Build a DIY chicken plucker, image via: grit 

2: Homemade Whizbang

At number second we are showing you the DIY chicken plucker by backyardpoultrymag that uses a 55 gallon, food grade plastic barrel, a few 2×4‘s, rubber ‘fingers’ and a 3/4 horsepower motor to do all the feather plucking for you. Patterned after the original Whizbang plucker, these plans allow you to build your own homemade whizbang from scavenged and recycled parts. You may also like to check out homemade egg incubators for hatching of chicken eggs.

Homemade Whizbang plucker

Homemade Whizbang plucker, image via: backyardpoultry

3: Barrel Chicken Plucker

Having raised meat birds myself, I know firsthand the importance of having a feather plucker to streamline the processing. One by one, plucking feathers can be exhausting, but with a homemade plucker, it becomes much more manageable.

I’ve found that using a 55-gallon barrel to create a homemade chicken plucker as demonstrated on YouTube, is not only efficient but also cost-effective. Based on my experience, I highly recommend this method, especially for homesteads processing multiple chickens for preservation.

What I love about this homemade plucker is its simplicity in both construction and operation. It’s a practical solution that doesn’t break the bank, and its mobility makes it easy to store when not in use. I’ve used it for various homestead birds like turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, and ducks, and it’s proven to be reliable every time.

4: Drum Homemade Chicken Plucker

Having had hands-on experience with the drum plucker like this one designed by friendlypastures, I can attest to its efficiency in swiftly removing feathers from chickens or ducks. This homemade chicken plucker is a time-saver, allowing you to complete feather removal in just a matter of seconds. By following the detailed instructions provided, you’ll gain the expertise to transform an old plastic drum, along with a few other components, into a functional and productive feather plucking device.

homeamde Drum Plucker

Drum Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: friendlypastures

5: The $6 Homemade Chicken Plucker

Having explored various DIY options, I stumbled upon a clever plan by livingthefrugallife, transforming simple materials like a drill, PVC pipe end caps, and bungee cords into an incredibly affordable chicken plucker, costing just $6. This homemade plucker offers unmatched economy without compromising efficiency – it’s portable, inexpensive, and gets the job done swiftly. From my own experimentation, I’ve found that with a bit of practice and perhaps some assistance, mastering the use of this budget-friendly plucker becomes second nature. Additionally, if you’re interested in poultry processing, it might be worth looking into other poultry processing equipment to enhance your setup further.

The $6 Chicken Plucker

Plan to build a $6 Chicken Plucker, image via: livingthefrugallife

6: Achorn Farm Homemade Chicken Plucker

A 55-gallon, food grade plastic barrel, an old snow blower gear box , some scrap wood and the most expensive component – rubber fingers – created this economical diy chicken plucker for usage on Achorn Farms by achornfarm While the rubber finger costs $120 (including shipping and handling) for this DIY chicken plucker, you can purchase them or make them yourself much cheaper.

Achorn Farm Homemade Chicken Plucker

Achorn Farm Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: achornfarm

7: Cowgirl Homemade Chicken Plucker

I’ve always believed in making the most of what’s available, which is why Cowgirl’s approach resonated with me. Her cowgirl chicken plucker, crafted for under 50 dollars, proves that efficiency doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag. Drawing from my experience, I suggest following her straightforward chicken plucker plans, which ingeniously incorporate everyday items like a pizza pan and belt. With Cowgirl’s guidance, anyone can replicate this budget-friendly and effective feather plucker.

Cowgirl Chicken Plucker

Cowgirl Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: cowgirlscountry

8: Whizbang Homemade Chicken Plucker

This one claims to be the DIY chicken plucker that started it all back in 1999 and inventor, Herrick Kimball, willingly shares all his building plans and knowledge with all who are interested. Buy his book of step-by-step plans for building the Whizbang Chicken Plucker by whizbangplucker and visit his website to purchase any needed parts for the DIY chicken plucker.

Whizbang Plucker

Whizbang Homemade Chicken Plucker, image via: whizbangplucker

9: Washing Machine Whizbang Homemade Chicken Plucker

This unique idea recycles an old washing machine by blogs while creating an entirely new tool that will remove the feathers from chickens, ducks, turkeys or geese in a matter of seconds. Instead of hauling that old washing machine to the landfill (where it will take decades to

Washing Machine Whizbang Chicken Plucker

Washing Machine Whizbang Chicken Plucker, image via: blogs

10: Washing Machine Plucker

Repurposing an old washing machine into a homemade chicken plucker is a brilliant idea that I’ve seen in action. By utilizing the drum and some electrical components, you can create an efficient feather plucking machine right in your backyard. I’ve watched the YouTube video demonstrating this DIY project, and it’s impressive how quickly and effectively the chicken is plucked, saving time and effort in the meat processing stage. Following the step-by-step instructions in the video, you can build your own washing machine plucker for less than $100, which is perfect for homesteads dealing with multiple chickens at once.

11: $20 Chicken Plucker

I’ve had the chance to try out the $20 chicken plucker designed by mycrafts, and it’s truly remarkable how quickly it cleans off all the feathers from a harvested chicken. This homemade chicken plucker, constructed from a 55-gallon plastic barrel, a few 2x4s, and an electric motor, is both easy and affordable to build while being incredibly efficient in feather removal. Keeping the skin on your chickens adds flavor and retains essential fats, making it a popular choice among homesteaders, and this plucker ensures that task is a breeze, leaving you with perfectly prepared poultry for frying.

When considering the cost of store-bought chicken pluckers, which can run up to $500, it’s clear that opting for a DIY approach is the way to go. By following the instructions provided in the video, you can save a significant amount of money while still achieving the same results. Building your own chicken plucker machine for just $20 is not only cost-effective but also a practical investment for any homestead looking to streamline their poultry processing workflow.

$20 Chicken Plucker

Chicken plucker machine made with a 55-gallon plastic barrel, image via: mycrafts

12: Drill Poultry Plucker

Having personally experienced the efficiency of homemade chicken pluckers, I can confidently say that once you start using one, you’ll wonder why you didn’t build it sooner. To get started, head over to this YouTube video where you can find all the instructions you need to construct your own DIY plucker. Using rubber chicken plucking fingers attached to a cylindrical piece of wood powered by a drill, you’ll be amazed at how quickly and effortlessly the feathers are removed from the harvested bird, making the cleaning process a breeze.

If you’re tired of the discomfort and time-consuming nature of manual feather plucking, I highly recommend investing in a drill poultry plucker. Not only is it fast, easy, and inexpensive to build, but it also drastically reduces the time and effort required for feather removal. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll never want to go back to plucking by hand again.

13: Table Top Mounted Plucker

Having explored various homemade chicken pluckers, I stumbled upon barefootones’ ingenious design, which offers a nearly cost-free solution using scrap materials and a drill. Unlike traditional pluckers, this tabletop model allows for hands-free operation, making it efficient and convenient for poultry processing.

This tabletop drill plucker not only saves time and effort but also ensures versatility, as it can be used for ducks and turkeys as well. By following the detailed video instructions, you can construct this plucker with ease, avoiding the sore hands that often accompany manual feather removal.

Table Top Mounted Plucker

Table Top Mounted Plucker, image via: barefootones

Conclusion

Birds’ skin is very tasty as it contains all the rich elements that make it delicious to eat. But the problem is how to remove the feathers of chickens as it needs a lot of hard work. Homemade chicken pluckers can help you to speed up the processing of feather removal.

You can make any of these chicken pluckers we have shared with you that you find easy and best suits your needs. Hope you like our article! Please don’t forget to share your diy plucker once you have made up!

References:

Academia.edu, by Briggs Martins Ogunedo, “Design of an Efficient Low Cost Poultry Feather Plucker Machine”, https://www.academia.edu/35545767/Design_of_an_Efficient_Low_Cost_Poultry_Feather_Plucker_Machine

Researchgate, May 2018, “Development of a Defeathering Machine from Locally Sourced Materials”, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344430484_Development_of_a_Defeathering_Machine_from_Locally_Sourced_Materials

Copyblogger, “The “Chicken Plucking” Secret of Success”, https://copyblogger.com/chicken-plucking-success/, https://copyblogger.com/chicken-plucking-success/

DIY Chick Brooder

10 DIY Chick Brooder-Keep Baby Chicks Safe And Warm

Building a DIY Chick Brooder is easier and cheaper than you might imagine. So if you are considering increasing your flock, or getting started with keeping chickens, here are ten ways you can build a homemade chicken brooder and do just that:

1- Plastic Box Chick Brooder

This diy chick brooder by fresheggsdaily is made with an opaque plastic storage container of the type that you will find in most larger stores. Hardware cloth and wood framing are affixed into a hole in the original plastic lid of the box. Dowels for mini roosts secured with small screws to the edge of the box and a non-slip rubber surface below complete your brooder.

Plastic Box Chick Brooder

Image via: fresheggsdaily

2- DIY Chick Brooder Plus Cage 

These DIY brooder plans by survivalistprepper also utilise a plastic storage container, a shallower one that is then topped with a cage around 2ft tall made from a wood frame and hardware mesh. The chicks are kept warm with a heat lamp as usual and towels over three sides of the cage keep the interior just right. The cage is separate and can be used later to introduce new chickens to old ones outside.

3- Plastic Box Brooder Mark 2

Like the last two options, this DIY chicken brooder by littlehomesteaders also utilizes a plastic storage box with lockable lid. With these plans, two vents are made in the lid, one to allow the heat from the heat lamp for chicks to get through, the other for ventilation.

4- Plastic Paddling Pool Chick Brooder

One enterprising chick owner used an old child’s paddling pool as a chick brooder by montanahomesteader. As the chicks grew, hardware cloth stapled onto a chair and wrapped round the circular pool made sure the chicks could not get out.

5- Wooden DIY Chick Brooder

If you would rather not use plastic to make your chick brooder like this one by instructables then you could consider this option made from plywood, fixings, 1/4” hardware cloth and 2×4 pieces for legs.

wooden-diy-chick-brooder

Image via: instructables

6- Portable Outdoors Chick Brooder

These wonderful homemade chick brooder plans by motherearthnews utilize things you are likely to have lying around. They are moveable brooder pens consisting of a covered area and more open run. These brooders can be kept warm with heat lamps for chicks and yet chicks can live more naturally right from the start, learning to scratch in the dirt and live as they should. Why keep chicks in unnatural and cramped conditions when you would never dream of doing that to adult hens?

portable-outdoors-chick-brooder

Image via: motherearthnews

7- Chick Brooders in Garage Shelves

If you are short on space for chick brooding, thinking vertical could be the answer. In the link below, you can see how how to make a neat DIY chick brooder like this one by backyardchickens within metal shelving.

chick-brooders-in-garage-shelves

Image via: backyardchickens

8- Simple Plastic Chicken Brooder With EcoGlow Heater 

Using an EcoGlow Heater rather than a traditional heat lamp reduces worries about fires. Cover it with contact paper before placing it in your plastic container to make it easier to clean. See the instructions for this simple chicken brooder like this one by livingwellmom.

simple-plastic-chicken-brooder

Image via: livingwellmom

9- Plastic Pool and Cardboard Brooder

These people made a DIY chick brooder by theeasyhomestead from an old plastic paddling pool and raised the heights of the sides with large pieces of cardboard to keep the chicks in – another low cost and practical solution.

plastic-pool-and-cardboard-brooder

Image via: theeasyhomestead

10- Toddler Pool Plus Lattice Brooder

Another variation on the theme of using old plastic pools as the base for a chick brooder like this one by backyardchickens is this one, which uses a chicken wire and plastic lattice around the pool to keep in the chicks.

toddler-pool-plus-lattice-brooder

Image via: backyardchickens

Plans To Choose

Whichever of these DIY chicken brooder plans you use, you can use low-cost or reclaimed materials to keep baby chicks safe and warm.

Ideal poultry Drinking Systems And Top Suppliers

Poultry Drinking/waterers System Overview

There are a number of methods of drinking which are used by the domesticated animals in the farm settings. Most of the drinking behaviors of the birds and all other animals occur in close association with the spontaneous meals. In other words, there is a close association between the poultry drinking and feeding systems as asserted by the guide to poultry drinking system. In order to ensure the optimum levels of performances from the side of your birds, it is imperative that you ensure the provision of fresh and clean drinking water. In order to achieve this, a reliable water supply is a necessary pre-requisite. Furthermore, the water and feeding systems should be free from all sorts of contamination and within the easy reach of all the birds. There are several types of poultry drinking systems that are now being used on a large scale. You  should have adequate levels of knowledge about the use of these systems and their underlying functions. Let us first take into account the function of nipple drinkers.

Nipple Drinkers

The ideal drinking system in the modern times is the nipple drinker mechanism. These systems have been shown to be the most effective when it comes to clean and hygienic supplies of the drinking water. These systems make use of some prototype and top class equipment. The nipple drinking system consists of a number of parts including pressure control unit, slope regulator, aeration nozzle, swiveling aeration and some effective suspension systems. Furthermore, the medication unit comes to control the amount of water flow that is given and the amount of water that is consumed by all the animals. The amount of water to be forwarded to the animals can be effectively controlled and measured through the use of this unit.

Bell and Round Drinkers

The bell drinkers are also quite useful at times. The size and type of these drinkers to be used depend upon the size and the specific bird type to which the water is to be administered. Furthermore, this drinking system makes use of a narrow water jet that comes to help in maintaining the suspension. In other words, the water in the drinker remains adjusted and does not splash from time to time. In order to ensure the ease of winching for all the cable lines a number of cable winches are utilized. These features make them quite easy and accommodative for being suspended from the top of the ceiling in any farm setting.

One of the most important factors that make these drinking systems as reliable is the even and balanced water distribution which is of crucial importance when it comes to the health of the animals and birds in the farm house setting. Furthermore, these systems have been engineered for the maximum results. There are numerous of drinking systems suppliers and vendors who currently operate in various countries at both national and international levels, but not all of them are known for the delivery best services. The above mentioned systems are of extreme importance, especially when it comes to the element of broiler and layerfeeding.

Now here is the list of the poultry drinker suppliers and vendors. In terms of the manufacturing of the drinking systems, these vendors are indeed in the alpha class.

1)    Big Dutchman International United States

http://www.bigdutchmanusa.com/

2)    Chore-Time Drinking Systems

http://www.choretimepoultry.com/about.php

3)    Cumberland-Complete Poultry Systems

http://www.cumberlandpoultry.com/english/overview.html

6 Considerations Before U Start A Chicken Coop

The popularity of growing chickens at one’s own backyard is getting more and more common. The reasons behind such a ploy are plenty but one of the most important reason which I consider is the fact that when you buy an egg from your local market, it reaches there at least after 20 to 30 days and is not fresh. So if you a start a chicken coop at your own house, you will surely get fresh eggs to eat on daily basis and you will really be surprised to find out a completely unique taste which only comes with freshness. Now there are many important factors to consider before you start a homemade chicken coop or when you devise plans for chicken coop and such considerations can be understood under the following headings:

1.       Chicken coop

You will find many chicken coop manufacturers in the market but if you have decided to build a chicken house yourself, then you need to learn some important aspects for this purpose as the growth and productivity of your chickens also depends on how you built their house. The basic thing here is that it should be properly spacious and should be in a safe zone for the chickens. Chicken coop plans cannot prove fruitful unless you have a proper understanding of the requirements and tools that are needed for this purpose. Though purchasing coops is a good ploy but the problem here is that the prices are inflated and still you will have to go through the assembly process. So before you start with the manufacturing process, go through a reasonable book or website that gives you chicken coop plans related to what you need and how to incorporate different things e.g. lighting, ventilation, run , perches and many other components.

chicken coop plans

2.       Chicken runs

A chicken coop with run is basically the area which is outside of the coop where the chickens or hens can roam around. Now the important thing here is that the area should be sufficiently spacious so that these animals do not feel much crowded and can exercise easily. A set rule for chicken runs and coop in this regard is 6 square feet per chicken.

chicken coop run

3.       Chicken coop kits

All the plans for chicken coop will involve the use of a proper chicken coop kit because a proper kit is essential for the egg productivity which is obviously the basic aim of any person or concern. Most of the chicken coops that are availed from the market are 80 percent complete and you will just have to go through the assembly process which can be done with tools that are normally available at home e.g. hammers, saw, screwdriver and measuring tape. If you are to build the coop yourself then you will need proper wood plates along with the aforesaid material.

garden-ark-chicken-coop-kit

4.       Chicken coop accessories

Chicken coop accessories involve all the tools that will include the chicken coop itself and the other materials such as shovels, straws or hay for nesting and other materials for lighting and ventilation. The entire accessories should be well integrated with the coop and effectively usable for the purpose regardless of whether you go for a simple chicken coop or you go for a large sophisticated one.

chicken coop accessarieschicken coop accessaries

5.       Mobile chicken coop

Now, chicken coop suppliers also provide the feature of mobility which allows you to move the coop from place to place. There are various mobile chicken coop plans which can be used to avail this mobility feature. One of the most common uses of this mobility feature comes where a person has a garden as the coop can be moved there and the waste of the chickens can be used as a fertilizer. This also saves the extra cleaning of the coop which is required on regular basis.

mobile chicken coop

6.       Chicken coop suppliers

After discussing the above factors  , one would like to know about the suppliers of chicken houses which can provide feasible and effective chicken coops. The market is filled with many suppliers these days but the top five on my list are as follows:

Top five suppliers of chicken houses 

1-Feel Good

chicken house by feelgooduk.net

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2-Hen House World

chicken house by hen house world.co.uk

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3-Chicken Coops And Houses

chicken house by chicken coops and houses.co.uk

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4Ningbo Two Birds Industry

Chicken-Coop By Ningbo Two Birds Industry

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5-My Pet Chicken

poultry accessaries by my pet chicken.com

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5 basic categories of chicken incubators, ideal egg incubators For Chicken Entrepreneurs, their famous suppliers

An incubator is a special device that provides an egg with the best and most suited conditions for its growth and development. It achieves the process by making use of certain mechanisms which are environmentally controlled. At the time of buying an incubator, you should make sure that you have the best device so that the egg may develop properly and completely. There are a number of varieties and types of incubators that are available in the market, so doing some research in this regard is going to guarantee the least harm. Now here, there are some people who prefer borrowing incubators from their relatives and friends, so that they may have an idea about the hatching of thee eggs. In other word, they plan to gain some basic idea about the incubation process in advance. Cheap incubators and devices are supplied at low rates, but with little or no customer services and support, which is indeed an important factor that you should consider. Buying an incubator, from a reliable and reputed chicken incubator or a turkey egg incubator supplier is all that you need. Below are some of the types of the poultry egg incubators which are being used these days.

Household incubators

As the name suggests, these incubators are most utilized by the people who plan to hatch the eggs within their household or on a very small scale. So, as they are designed for the household settings very little monitoring is required for them. Now these incubators may be fully automatic, semi-automatic and manual incubators, all of which are readily available in the markets. The exact temperature to be used for the incubation process depends on the control and other characteristics of the incubation machine, which is a factor that all the farmers and specialists should always keep in mind.

           

Multi-Sage Incubators

Multi-sage incubation relies on the constant operation of the machines for a set period of time. These incubators are operated continuously in which the eggs are added into the settings once or twice a week. A constant supply is maintained for the eggs at all times for their growth. One of the main advantages of making use of these incubators is the low maintenance and production cost and the simplicity of the entire operation. The core process of these incubators is the transformation of the heat generated by the old eggs and the use of this heat for the new eggs that are to be processed in the incubators. Another important thing here is the use of the same size and types of eggs for the incubation process. Furthermore, the aspects of ventilation and incubator temperature should always be given due importance for the successful completion of the hatching eggs and all other incubation processes.

Single Stage Incubator

Considered to be one of the most natural mechanisms for achieving incubation, the single stage incubation is also used these days. It has been named as single stage incubation because all the eggs inside the device are kept and grown at the same stage of development. The machine is filled in for each setting and then emptied out for the each of the transfers. For those who do not know, this type of incubation is also known as the all-out incubation process. Moreover, the incubator also works on the principles of ventilation, humidity and all other important aspects necessary for the growth and hatching of the eggs.

Tunnel and industrial Incubators

These incubators also make use of the multi-stage mechanism for achieving the process of incubation and hatching of the eggs under environmentally controlled conditions and processes. They are mostly used for the large and commercial poultry farms in addition to the industrial incubators which are also used on a large scale. It is because of their large scale used that a number of mechanisms are used for maintaining the productivity and efficiency of the process at all times. The prices of the industrial and tunnel incubators also vary depending on the quality you plan to buy. Furthermore, you should also try to consider the reputation of the supplier from whom you plan to buy these incubation machines.

Top 5 Chicken Incubator Suppliers

1)      Dayal Poultry

contact supplier

2)      Ali Baba Chicken and commercial incubators

contact supplier

3)      Panda Poultry

contact supplier

            

4)      Wuxi Sinopfe International Trading Corporation

contact supplier

             

5)      Stromberg Incubators

contact supplier

Poultry Processing Equipments and suppliers

In the past 40 years, a number of technologies and techniques have been introduced into the domain of poultry processing equipment. The products obtained from the processing are targeted for sales in a number of markets and settings all around the world. The increase in the poultry processing equipment companies and suppliers is based on the technical capabilities, market demand and the overall economic scenario. The market demands in the present times are highly variable, as they are based on the ethnic and religious settings of a particular area. Poultry processing makes use of a number of devices and machines, the details of which are mentioned below. The equipment includes slaughter equipment, chicken plucking equipment, poultry slaughtering and various machines for chicken processing.

Poultry Plucker

Pluckers are used to pluck off the feathers off any bird. There are varying types of pluckers and machines that are now available in the market. The prices of these machines vary on the basis of their performance e.g. the deluxe plucker is able to pluck off the feathers from a chicken in a matter of 30 seconds. Same is the case with tabletop plucker which makes use of an efficient torque to complete the plucking process in a more agile way.

 

Poultry Scalders

This machine is used to scald ducks, chickens and all other animals which are used in the farm house setting. It makes use of a number of temperature control mechanisms and devices designed to complete the process quickly. All these machines ensure that the picking comes in quite easy and more quickly. Some of the best poultry slaughtering machine suppliers offer these machines at quite expensive rates, but these machines are in fact quite useful for keeping the quality of processing intact and top notch.

Poultry Cutter and De-feathering Machines

These machines are used to wither off the feathers and then process the meat in its best form. For cutting the chicken and turkey meat, a number of different devices are used depending on the meat to be processed. The meat that is obtained after the procedure is completed is then sent forward to the next phase of the manufacturing process. Not to forget that the machines vary in their capacity for cutting the animals simultaneously.

Killing Cone and Drum Plucker

The Poultry killing cones are used to dispatch a chicken or a flock of chicken in a various forms. For this purpose, the cone is designed by making use of a container that is open at both ends. The top end is more open and large so that a chicken or any other farm animal can be inserted into it. After the chicken is killed, the neck and other parts from the body of the chicken protrude to the bottom end. The Drum Plucker on the other hand is more of an automated nature which is sued for stunned and all other scaled chickens. The use of these pluckers is indeed vital when it comes to professional poultry meat processing.

Poultry Processing Bags

After the initial phases have been completed, the meat and all other food items are finally conserved in the poultry processing bags. The use of the best quality bags indeed comes to effectuate the sales of the meat. Always prefer to make use of the durable and strong processing bags, manufactured by the best companies and suppliers in the market.

 Top 5 poultry processing equipments suppliers

1) Alibaba Poultry Processing Equipments

contact supplier

            

2) Cornerstone Poultry Processing Equipments

contact supplier

      

3) Stormberg’s Poultry Processing Equipments

contact supplier

       

4) Featherman Poultry Processing Equipments

contact suppier

            

5) Marel Poultry Processing Equipments

contact supplier

     

Chicken Eggs Hatching Accessories and suppliers

Egg/Chicks Hatching Accessories

Incubating and hatching chicken eggs from domesticated individuals is one of the most famous processes when it comes to commercial and large scale farming. A number of accessories and kits are used for achieving the process, which is in a number of ways pretty complex. The accessories to be used vary according to the number of chickens and eggs to be hatched. If you plan to do the hatching in the home based settings, then the some large investments and purchases may not be required. Till now, a number of refinements in egg incubation have been done by the specialists and scientists who have done years and years of research. However, the fundamental techniques of incubation never seem to change. Below are the various kits and incubator accessories used for the process which are also mentioned in a guide to egg hatching accessories/machines.

EGG CANDLER & SCALES

These scales are used in order to test and review the weight of the eggs. For those who have some experience in the farming business, the importance of these scales and devices can never be denied, as the weight of the egg is also a determinant of the price. Candling eggs alongside weighing is very crucial for the success of the farming business. Candling mechanisms enable you to have some idea about the development of the egg and the various stages it passes through before finally changing to the chick, which is the last step in egg maturation and development.

Thermometers And Hygrometers

Taking regular measurements and readings about the egg temperature is of great importance in the hatching process. Some of these best devices are also able to record and measure any changes in the overall humidity and temperature changes that might be seen from time to time. The temperatures are displayed in Celsius and in Fahrenheit, both of which are the standards. So, getting a more accurate reading is something which you should keep in mind when purchasing these devices.

Egg Boxes and Egg Trays

When the eggs are fully prepared and ready for being sent to the markets, then you should look for the personalized boxes and trays in which they would be kept and stored. Using personalized trays is necessary for pointing out the consumers and other buyers about the types of eggs. In short, egg packaging and manufacturing is dependent on the use of these boxes and trays.

Incubator Inserts and Cradles

The type and form of incubator inserts and cradles to be used depend on the egg capacity. The larger inserts are more suitable for the bigger sized incubators. Furthermore, the larger inserts are also much stronger and durable in comparison to the smaller ones. These inserts are suitable for the chicken eggs no matter what the size of the eggs might be. The same also holds true for the cradles which are also an essential component in egg hatching.

Egg Washing

Farms and hatching houses all around the world make use of a number of egg washing procedures. Typically, more than 30 % of the eggs are dirty when they are collected. A number of abrasives are used in comparison to the usage of water which is much more typical. Loofas are also used when it comes to the cleaning of the eggs. Most of these procedures are most suited for the small scale eggs, but when it comes to the commercial modes, then it is better off to make use of the immersion washers and devices. But here an important thing to note is that a number of old and low quality washers are also available in the market, so try not to buy these cheap washers.

Plastic Nest Eggs and Egg Incubator Spares

In order to keep the hens broody, the plastic eggs would always prove to be of much use. They also come in handy for the indication of the best nesting sites. In addition to this, a number of egg incubator spares are also useful for the hatching process which is to say the least pretty complex. The kits might include fans, ventilators, motors and other modulators necessary for the air control.

Heat Control and Egg Washing Spares

For the purpose of egg washing, a number of variant egg washers are used including the Rotamaid and supawash sparers all of which are very effective for the washing process. The same degree of preferences and importance should also be given to the heat control mechanisms and temperature adjustments, all of which are dependent on the use of the heat control spares and devices.

Top 4 chicken eggs hatching accessories Suppliers

1) SolwayFeeders chicken eggs hatching accessories

contact supplier

     

2) Maplin Chicken eggs hatching accessories

contact suppliers

        

3) Eggboxes.com chicken eggs hatching accessories

contact suppliers

4) Eggcartonstore.com chicken eggs hatching accessories

contact suppliers

Tips/method/procedure of how to effeciently use egg/chicken incubators

Chicken Incubators Boost Chicken Keeping And Therefore Are Advantageous For Maqui berry farmers

Let us face the facts hatching eggs can sometimes be frustrating or really rewarding. The humidity and temperature needs throughout incubation are inside a quite narrow range are actually making individuals who incubate eggs always disappointed. It is because incubating eggs may cause unsatisfactory results specifically for newcomers because of the possible lack of understanding and failure to watch incubation needs. However, with simple solutions, understanding and using top quality incubators with automatic turning system along with a hatching section may take egg hatching to success!

Egg incubators or brooders are equipment that perform a fantastic job in hatching your eggs due to the fact these should bring normal 70 degrees towards the needed temperature. They are invaluable and efficient when it comes to hatching eggs without notice to as well as in considerable amounts yet one needs to understand, keep an eye on and learn to operate the device.

The following are some helpful tips and concepts that I must share about incubation and breeding by using electrical egg incubators or brooders.

– Make certain that the egg or chicken incubators will work well and make sure that your electrical energy matches the gear.

– Make certain you’ve got a stable 70 degrees around 70F all day and night. If needed take advantage of the electric heater having a thermostat since they’re reliable.

– Ensure that you simply put your incubator on an amount surface.

– Have them from sunlight. You should know the fast rise of temperature due to sunlight can have an affect on incubation in addition to hatching.

If you’re a new comer to this, it’s suggested to make use of and operate the incubator having a small volume of eggs which are affordable in order to ensure the operating procedure and determine the performance from the incubator. Never attempt to hatch eggs in large amounts and costly ones.

 

Make sure to choose and take advantage of incubators that meets your specifications and accessible by your finances. A concise, simple to use and powerful independent brooders are perfect to make use of. This advantageous equipment includes full incubation instructions which provides you with the step-by-step methods together with particulars about incubation as well as hatching eggs.

For natural incubation and artificial incubation, time for that eggs to hatch-out is identical. Natural incubation and artificial incubation get their benefits and disadvantages.

Regardless if you are right into a chicken business or simply a enthusiast and according to your choice you’d either choose among the process. A broody hen may be the ideal manager of her eggs and naturally to hatch eggs but they are not whatsoever occasions available and therefore are minimal in number which limits the amount of eggs being hatched.

Using chicken incubators result to enhance chicken keeping and it is very useful just in case you’re into a commercial chicken business. In reality, a lot of maqui berry farmers are usually taking pleasure in the advantages of utilizing egg incubators due to our prime interest in chicken and egg items. The incubation machine allows them create in tremendous amounts and get high return on opportunities inside a almost no time having a minimal startup capital.

Incubation isn’t necessarily effective even when you use a great equipment hence make certain that proper atmosphere is definitely provided by utilizing a top quality incubator for eggs.

Poultry Farm Heating System, Brooders and Top Suppliers/vendors

The poultry farm is the place where a large number of domesticated animals are raised. There are a number of things which should be given due importance when it comes to the maintenance of the farm. The time which is required to bring up the broiler birds is less than the time required for rearing large sized animals. After these birds are ready, then they are brought into use for a number of different purposes. They are not only sold in the urban localities, but also in the rural areas. Having an idea about these basics, let us now move to other important factors. The first in line is the heating system and climate maintenance. The domesticated animals are very susceptible to be influenced by the changes in the climate. This is the reason for which the inner atmosphere is kept a bit cold in times of summer. Problems start arising during the winter times, as the birds are at much greater risks. The wellbeing of the animals is substantially determined by the climatic conditions of the environmentally controlled shed. If the temperature is not kept constant, then there are high chances that some physiological disorders might appear in the birds. Furthermore, the appearance of a disease in one animal would also create health issues in all birds, especially when the farm house captivates more than 10000 birds.

Poultry Brooders

These domesticated birds and animals are also referred to as layers. They are warm blooded, which means that they have the capacity to make an adjustment in their body temperature but only to a certain degree. On an average rate the body temperature of these birds remains from 41 to 42.2 degree centigrade. Now here comes the role of poultry brooders which are special devices used for keeping the temperature at a certain limit. The device makes use of a specialized thermostat which can be used for adjusting the temperature as required from time to time. You might find some basic brooders in the homes of your relatives, friends and neighbors, but they do not provide the element of efficiency in comparison to the fully optimized brooders.

Automatic Lamp Brooders

You can also make use of the automatic lamp brooders based on the number of birds you plan to keep in the farm house. There are some people consider these lamps to be dangerous for being used in the farm houses, but that is not the case with the automatic brooders which are able to adjust the temperature according to the requirement. They are also covered into a number of protective materials.

Battery Brooders

These brooders come in handy at times when a large number of birds are to be accommodated in a small area. The floor space is indeed an important factor when it comes to a constant heat distribution for all the birds. Furthermore, these devices are easy to use and to clean from time to time. But in order to get hold of the best devices, it is imperative that you buy them from a registered and well known supplier.

Area Brooders

Here we have another brooding alternative that proves to be useful for managing a large number of birds in a comparatively small area. These brooders provide heat to the birds from a source than hangs above them. These devices have been designed in a way that the heat always remains evenly distributed. The hanging source of heat is also referred to as the Hover. Another important component is the pen, the larger the pen size the more are the number of birds that you would be able to keep near to the device.

Gas Infrared Brooders

These brooders are among the heating options that you have when it comes to maintaining the health of the birds. A single line of various infrared heaters are now being used in some of the top notch commercial broiler farms. The temperature is distributed all over the floor by these brooders, which are known to provide wall to wall coverage.

Chicken Brooder Kits

These kits come in all range and sizes designed especially for the ones who have a few birds at their homes. There are a number of chicken brooder starter kits available at varying prices all over the web and in the farm house equipment markets.

Battery, area and gas brooders are the ideal ones when it comes to advanced heating systems in the farm house. For a farm house with 30000-45000-60000 bird capacity, a much larger number of brooders would be required, which is also going to raise the cost price. The price sure to be in millions, but do not forget that the profits are going to be much bigger, if you are able to maintain a healthy output from the birds. So, it is clear that the poultry farm heating system is really an important determinant of the profits you would be earning from your farm.

Top 5 Suppliers of Brooders

1)      Cumberland brooder suppliers

http://www.cumberlandpoultry.com/english/radbrood.html

2)      Chore-Time Brooders

http://www.choretimepoultry.com/products.php?product_id=114

3)      Australasian Augrecultural Services

http://www.ausagservices.com.au/heating.html

4)      Alibaba Poultry

http://www.alibaba.com/showroom/chick-brooder.html

5)      Chistiya Poultry Equipment Supply

http://www.chishtiya.com/