early chick raising ???'s

[deerchooper]

hello every one.

I would like to get some chicks early this year, but I don't want them in the house again. I have chickens now and would like to add more to the flock.

what are ppl doing early in the year in the snow/colder region to over come this?

I do have electric in the coop, I keep looking up waiting for the light to come on in my head.

ideas please and pics are welcomed also.

 

[Free Feather]

How early? January?

 

[deerchooper]

it all depends on the job I have to do to get this going.

 

[Folly's place]

I'm in southern Michigan, and get my chicks no earlier that early April. They start in my (semi finished) basement, then move to the garage in a big stock tank, and finally to a section of my coop, with a heat lamp, when they are three or four weeks old. It has worked for me multiple times, for 25 chicks or so each time. The pullets are in lay by fall usually. Mary

 

[Free Feather]

You can do it earlier than April, but not if you want to do it without additional electrical heat.

 

[shmccarthy]

I'm in michigan and I start as early as february. I have a heated, insulated brooder I keep them in ubtil they are fully feathered then they go to my grow out pen.

 

[3riverschick]

Look at Gail Damerow's book on brooding chicks.
Hatching & Brooding Your Own Chicks, by Gail Damerow
http://genericbookreview.blogspot.com/2013/05/hatching-brooding-your-own-chicks-by.html
Watch the you tube video of Gail explaining her wonderful custom brooders. Note the Sweeter Heaters.
http://wn.com/damerow
It's excellent and shows how to put your brooder together.
The Sweeter Heater ( http://www.sweeterheater.com/ ) is an excellent idea that she uses for heat. No fire hazard.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/homemade-chicken-brooder-designs-pictures


Best,
Karen