7th Annual BYC New Year's Day 2016 Hatch-A-Long

[bamadude]

This is a picture of my outside brooder. It has only been 22 as a low here so far, but they were toasty. I used plastic and an old shower curtain liner. The run they are in is surrounded with plastic on the open areas in an outside shed. They have a heat lamp. The ones in there now are 3 weeks old and have been out about 2 weeks. I keep them in the house for first week with a heat plate. .

Sup with the school bus yellow?

 

[manicfarmer]

My last brooder was a little under sized leaving the birds stressed when they were close to being transferred to coop, so I think I will build a larger one that is collapsible this go around. I wonder if I should get started on this, or would that be considered, "counting my chickens before they hatch".....literally. I really do crack myself up.

 

[cree57i]

Sup with the school bus yellow?

Double Draft Prevention-DDP

 

[Blarneyeggs]

I'd love to join you, but I think I will just follow along for now. For those of you in colder climates, what do you do with the chicks once they hatch? Do you raise them indoors? I have no problems hatching them indoors, but with numerous allergy and asthma sufferers in our household, there is no way we could tolerate raising chicks indoors. And, with outside temps here getting to -30 degree with the windchill, I'm not sure I would dare even keep chicks in the garage or well insulated barn. Any advice, or do I just need to wait until spring?

The windchill doesn't matter because the chicks shouldn't be exposed to the wind. As they feather out, you raise the heat lamp more and more. Eventually turning off during the day, then the night. If you can open a window to allow the room to cool off some, or put them on an enclosed porch, they will get used to the cold. Then when you think it's time (even I have trouble with this part, and I will be bothering Blarney and other PA people in a few months!) put them outside in the cold cruel world.

I'd love to join you, but I think I will just follow along for now. For those of you in colder climates, what do you do with the chicks once they hatch? Do you raise them indoors? I have no problems hatching them indoors, but with numerous allergy and asthma sufferers in our household, there is no way we could tolerate raising chicks indoors. And, with outside temps here getting to -30 degree with the windchill, I'm not sure I would dare even keep chicks in the garage or well insulated barn. Any advice, or do I just need to wait until spring?

[COLOR=0000FF]Hey there and welcome! Doesn't get quite as cold here in PA as all that, here is some advice I was given years ago from a BYCer who lives in Maine and hatches in winter:[/COLOR]

I don't know how you don't get that cold. I remember it was like that here in February.

I'm really not sure how it happens either, but the climate here in Southeastern PA is a bit more hospitable than over there on the western half. I personally believe it's the weather God's punishing you'uns for being Steelers fans. .

 

[bamadude]

Guys: if you are still using heat lamps for brooding...Send me $50.
You should be using premier 1 brooder plates.

 

[beaches4me]

Guys: if you are still using heat lamps for brooding...Send me $50.
You should be using premier 1 brooder plates.

What is a "premier 1 brooder plate"? Sorry a bit naive here but have no idea what that is lol!

 

[ChickaLong]

What is a "premier 1 brooder plate"? Sorry a bit naive here but have no idea what that is lol!

What the search comes up with. New to me also.

 

[Frindizzle]

Not going to be hatching, but I will be the cheerer/supporter!

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I might join but already have eggs due dec 18. If i even get eggs to hatch. I might put one or two...or more.

 

[trailrider330]

What the search comes up with. New to me also.

Reminds me of Brinsea's EcoGlows

Doesn't room temperature have to be pretty high (at least 50s or so) to use one of these? I thought I read that on one of their product boards. I had considered purchasing one until I read the recommendation for room temperature.