Chicken Brooder Box Plans: Build Your Own Brooder Cabinet

December 6, 2022Backyard Poultry ContributorCoops

Follow these chicken brooder box plans to build a brooder cabinet that looks appealing, has an easy-to-clean tray, and provides ample storage for feed and other chick-specific items.

By Ana White

I never expected to need a set of chicken brooder box plans, but in spring of 2012, I stopped by a local shop called the Chick Barn and brought home four new family members. Their names are Sunny, Easy, Scramble, and French Toast. (My daughter Grace’s favorite is Sunny. She’s very sweet.) After a few days in a plastic tote, it was time to build a chicken brooder box.

With temperatures still falling well below freezing at night up here in Alaska, it was too early to start working on my chicken coop ideas. I had originally set out to build a standard chicken brooder box, but after a few days of cleaning up poo and looking at all kinds of brooder box plans, I decided I wanted an open bottom with a tray underneath for easy cleaning. And then one “wish list” item led to another, and before I knew it, we were building this cabinet brooder from our own brooder box plans.

A Custom Brooder Design

I figured that if I’m using up a sheet of plywood either way, why not make something pretty? Something I could maybe find another use for later? Why not build a cabinet with an easy clean out tray, doors so the kids can peek in and check on the chicks, and ample storage for keeping things like feed, newspaper, water, books and other chick nursery items on hand? Where else was I going to find any brooder box plans that offered me everything I wanted and needed in one beautiful and practical piece of furniture?

We kept the doors low so daughter Grace could see the baby chicks and help with chores. I kind of wished we’d built the doors higher and put the storage underneath. That way the birds are at eye level, with storage down below. But the good news is you can alter the brooder box plans here to build whatever suits your needs. That’s the great thing about DIY!

Ana White is a mother and homemaker in Alaska. Visit her website for more do-it-yourself projects.

Chicken Brooder Box Plans

Materials and Tools

Shopping List:

1 – sheet 3/4″ plywood, ripped into 3 strips 15-1/2″ wide by 8 feet long (referred to as 1×16 in this plan)
2 – 1×2 x 8 feet long
2 – 1×3 x 8 feet long
8 – 2×2 x 8 feet long
1 – 1×8 x 3 feet long
36″ wide hardware cloth or chicken wire – I used about 4 feet total
3 sets of hinges, knobs, handles and latches
1/2″ staples
1-1/4 inch finish nails
1-1/4 inch pocket hole (PH) screws
2-1/2 inch pocket hole (PH) screws
wood glue
wood filler

Tools:

measuring tape
square
pencil
safety glasses
hearing protection
drill
circular saw
jigsaw
sander
staple gun
level
Kreg Jig® 3

Cut List:

2 – 1×16 x 60″ (sides)
4 – 1×2 x 15-1/2″ (side trim)
4 – 2×2 x 66″ (legs)
8 – 2×2 x 36″ (front/back trim)
3 (or more) 1×2 x 15-1/2″ (for supporting grated bottom)
3 – 1×16 x 36″ (shelves) – extra is optional shelf not shown
1 – 1×16 x 39″ (top)
2 – 1×2 x 39″ (top) 1/4″ plywood or other materials
1 – 38-1/2″ x 60″ (back)
1 – 1×8 x 35-3/4″ (bottom door tilts down)

Doors:

4 – 1×3 x 24-3/4″
4 – 1×3 x 12-3/4″
Hardware cloth or chicken wire stapled to back

The chicken brooder box dimensions are shown in diagrams and materials list. The brooding space is approximately 4-1/2 square feet.

Chicken Brooder Box Plans: General Instructions

Please read through the entire plan and all comments before beginning this project. It is also advisable to review the Getting Started: Tools & Tips For Newbies section on my website.

Take all necessary precautions to build safely and smartly. Work on a clean level surface, free of imperfections or debris. Always use straight boards. Check for square after each step. Always pre-drill holes before attaching with screws. Use glue with finish nails for a stronger hold. Wipe excess glue off bare wood for stained projects, as dried glue will not take stain.

Be safe, have fun, and enjoy your new brooder cabinet!

Start with the sides. Drill 3/4″ pocket holes (PH) along sides and top edge.

Step 1: Attach side trim.

Step 2: Attach legs with 1-1/4″ pocket hole (PH screws through predrilled holes.

Step 3: Now join the two sides to start making the box.

Step 4: This is for the mesh bottom. If your mesh needs more support, add more boards to support.

Step 5: Build bottom shelf first, then attach in place.

Note A: This distance assumes you are using 1×8 drawer face, measuring 7-1/4″ wide.

Note B: Build bottom shelf first by attaching 2×2 trim to shelf with 3/4″ PHs and 1-1/4″ PH screws. Then attach shelf to sides with 3/4″ PHs and 1-1/4″ PH screws. You may also wish to attach 2×2 trim to 2×2 legs with 1-1/2″ PHs and 2-1/2″ PH screws.

Step 6: Follow with upper shelf.

Step 7: Then the top.

Step 8: Next add the back.

Step 9: Build doors to fit openings. I stapled hardware cloth to back. Staple hardware cloth to bottom of middle shelf as well.

Note C: The optional decorative trim on both top and bottom can be cut from scraps and glued in place.

Note D: Drill shelf pins for optional shelves.

Finishing Instructions: Fill all holes with wood filler and let dry. Apply additional coats of wood filler as needed. When wood filler is completely dry, sand the project in the direction of the wood grain with 120 grit sandpaper. Vacuum sanded project to remove sanding residue. Remove all sanding residue on work surfaces as well. Wipe project clean with damp cloth. It is always recommended to apply a test coat on a hidden area or scrap piece to ensure color evenness and adhesion. Use primer or wood conditioner as needed.