Thanks. We have no predators and it stays pretty warm under the pergola so they won’t be cold, especially under the Brinsea Ecoglow brooder pad. Do you recommend I have them inside? I can if it is necessary.
Well, now that I've seen the pergola, I don't think it's predator proof at all. Those shades are basically open at the bottom. Any kind of critter could get in there, including raccoons, weasels, rats, snakes, cats, you'd be surprised. If you have a place in the house where you can set up the portacot, I would recommend doing that. Chicks are only smelly if you don't keep their brooder clean. I clean my brooder every day, and sometimes more often than that. I keep it in the house for the first week or two, and then move it to a lightly heated, predator proof, garage room. When they are so little they are easy prey to just about anything.
Thank you. There are no stray dogs in my area and hardly any in Australia. I have a pet dog and he is best friends with the chickens. He’s had chicks peck him and he didn’t mind! Once they grow their feathers I have an area that is more warmer and have another area for their teenage to pullet stages.
Thanks your advice. We don’t have weasels, raccoons, snakes or rats, the only predator that I know is cats! I hardly see them in my backyard. There’s now strict rules so many cats have to be inside. Covering the top would protect them from the cats if one were to come. I may raise them inside, I’ll communicate with the rest of the family and see if they’re okay with it. I could have them in the house for the first week or two and then move them to the pergola area.
I didn’t do it, but I was told you can cut a whole in a milk jug for water? We always used shallow dishes and accept the mess.
Thank you!
When you mention lid do you mean sold wire to protect them from a cat (only predators we have) or by something more solid and not transparent like a piece of wood or metal, just need some clarification. Guessing wire as it would be easier to set up and run the brooder pad.
