A wool hen - creating one today

[Eckielady]

Here is my wool hen. Works super well. There are 17 chicks using it from age 1-3 weeks.

I added the piece on the front just to help seal in the heat like a door.

 

[Sparky74]

Here is my wool hen. Works super well. There are 17 chicks using it from age 1-3 weeks.

I added the piece on the front just to help seal in the heat like a door.

Love the idea of the front flap. How much ventilation do chicks need?

I decided that I had too many strips hanging down in mine so I thinned it out, removing every 2nd one but I didn't remove any from the front row.

 

[Eckielady]

Love the idea of the front flap. How much ventilation do chicks need?

I decided that I had too many strips hanging down in mine so I thinned it out, removing every 2nd one but I didn't remove any from the front row.

I took out a chunk in the middle also and that's where they all huddle. I don't worry about ventilation since the air can move in and out of there pretty easily. They are outside in a brooder with 3 hardware cloth walls so they get a ton of fresh air.

 

[tk10]

I'm wondering if this would work as well with fleece? I think wool has quite a few insulating properties that fleece would not.

 

[Eckielady]

I'm wondering if this would work as well with fleece? I think wool has quite a few insulating properties that fleece would not.

I know people have used fleece but wool is going to be warmer.

 

[chicklets81]

I have seen pictures of people that tie "feather dusters" with feathers down to the side of the brooder. Do you think this would work too?

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes I do, but put to the feathers are touching the ground. and depending on how many chicks you have, you might need a couple of them. Truthfully this totaling changed my thinking on what baby chicks need for heat.

If they are silent, they are warm enough. Cold chicks peep madly, trying to get a mama's attention. Mine would be peeping, start crawling in, and the tension would just fall away and get silent. It was perfect.

 

[Leighe]

Yes I do, but put to the feathers are touching the ground. and depending on how many chicks you have, you might need a couple of them. Truthfully this totaling changed my thinking on what baby chicks need for heat.

If they are silent, they are warm enough. Cold chicks peep madly, trying to get a mama's attention. Mine would be peeping, start crawling in, and the tension would just fall away and get silent. It was perfect.

Had never heard of this. Read every single post and am EXCITED! To be able to have chicks outside is awesome. The momma hens always have the chicks out and about around Day 2/3 and eating and they run under her whenever they need to. So this is perfect. I have a maternity section in my pen and I am now going to make a "wool hen" to have ready. Thanks to everyone for your input so the rest of us can "borrow" all ya'lls ideas! Yey for the chicks!

 

[Mrs. K]

In the beginning, I also insulated underneath the chicks. As they grew and got stronger, I just used bedding, and made sure outside of the wooly hen was protected from the elements and wind.

 

[Dogface208]

Has anyone tried this with ducklings? Mine come in in 2 or 3 days and I've ordered one if those Brinsea (but not actually that brand) heaters, but I'd love to try this. I may be making a trip to my thrift store tomorrow...