Brooder heater

[JaimeW]

We live in northeast and temps are dropping to low 30’s high 20’s at night. Can brooder box be kept on enclosed, un-heated, sun porch if we keep a brooder heater in there. It’s the kind that the birds can get under.

 

[DobieLover]

We live in northeast and temps are dropping to low 30’s high 20’s at night. Can brooder box be kept on enclosed, un-heated, sun porch if we keep a brooder heater in there. It’s the kind that the birds can get under.

Absolutely! And they will do very well that way.
I have a built-in brooder in my coop and raised 15 chicks in the climate you are describing. They were rambunctious little things and much happier out in the fresh air with a toasty place to warm up.

 

[JaimeW]

Absolutely! And they will do very well that way.
I have a built-in brooder in my coop and raised 15 chicks in the climate you are describing. They were rambunctious little things and much happier out in the fresh air with a toasty place to warm up.
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Thanks for letting me know!! Can you tell my why you have a blanket over the heater and I am guessing it’s safe to do that?? I was looking at one that has a plastic shield on top to prevent them from going up there and another that is flat like yours

 

[DobieLover]

Thanks for letting me know!! Can you tell my why you have a blanket over the heater and I am guessing it’s safe to do that?? I was looking at one that has a plastic shield on top to prevent them from going up there and another that is flat like yours

I put it over the heater to enclose the back and sides to trap the heat better. And because I had 15 chicks in there! That's a lot for a brooder plate designed for 10-12.
It worked just fine.
What I would do differently if I were to brood this way again is to fold the towel and cover it with press-n-seal wrap on the entire top then wrap it about an inch or two over the edges. That would have kept it much cleaner.
I now prefer this style broody. No need for a towel!

 

[JaimeW]

I put it over the heater to enclose the back and sides to trap the heat better. And because I had 15 chicks in there! That's a lot for a brooder plate designed for 10-12.
It worked just fine.
What I would do differently if I were to brood this way again is to fold the towel and cover it with press-n-seal wrap on the entire top then wrap it about an inch or two over the edges. That would have kept it much cleaner.
I now prefer this style broody. No need for a towel!
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That looks like the type of chicken we are looking at - but the chicks they showed us were dark we are still pretty new to this but enjoying it. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[DobieLover]

That looks like the type of chicken we are looking at - but the chicks they showed us were dark we are still pretty new to this but enjoying it. Thanks for your feedback!

She is a Plymouth Barred Rock.
"Her" chicks are not hers biologically. They are mixed breeds from my very mixed flock. All the adults are purebreds but my two boys are a different breed from all the hens and pullets.