After the Downpour

[3KillerBs]

We had nearly 3 inches of blowing rain since late yesterday afternoon, mostly falling in heavy torrents rather than as a steady soak.

Neuchickenstein, though dry uphill, is soggy-wet inside under the clearstory opening.

Fortunately, with an open air design and the deep litter system on top of my extremely well-drained soil, this should clear itself up before any ill events occur. The birds will probably enjoy the damp bedding because they always like the run after rain and have been stuck indoors due to the Avian Flu issue. I will have to monitor it and probably flip the bedding a few times to help it dry out.

The Brooder is entirely dry except for one small corner -- which *might* have to do with runoff from the lid of the feed can. Tomorrow when I'm off I will have to improve the diversion ditch in that area. For now, I've switched from the brooder plate to the Big Red Bulb to help it dry out.

My 16yo is home with a sore throat so I'll have him monitor the chicks for me. When I put the light on they all came out and started to eat so no ill effects overnight at least.

 

[NorthwoodsChick]

Glad to hear they are doing well.

 

[3KillerBs]

Our new portable pond.

 

[mowin]

View attachment 3027422

Our new portable pond.

At least your tailgate seals tight..

 

[rosemarythyme]

The Brooder is entirely dry except for one small corner -- which *might* have to do with runoff from the lid of the feed can. Tomorrow when I'm off I will have to improve the diversion ditch in that area. For now, I've switched from the brooder plate to the Big Red Bulb to help it dry out.

My 16yo is home with a sore throat so I'll have him monitor the chicks for me. When I put the light on they all came out and started to eat so no ill effects overnight at least.

A little dampness in a brooder should be fine - which I know goes against the common wisdom on here. I used to take my brooder into the garage during rain, then I realized that as long as I built the deep litter up under the brooder, it would drain excess rainwater pretty readily so I started leaving the brooder in place through storms. As long as the area the chicks like to sleep in (i.e. under the heat lamp or plate) stays dry, they should have no issue dealing with it.

 

[3KillerBs]

A little dampness in a brooder should be fine - which I know goes against the common wisdom on here. I used to take my brooder into the garage during rain, then I realized that as long as I built the deep litter up under the brooder, it would drain excess rainwater pretty readily so I started leaving the brooder in place through storms. As long as the area the chicks like to sleep in (i.e. under the heat lamp or plate) stays dry, they should have no issue dealing with it.

Yep.

That's another advantage to the big, outdoor brooder. A little dampness in one spot from rainwater drainage or a dumped waterer isn't nearly as much of a problem as that same overturned waterer would be in a plastic tub.