Brooder in Garage with Mama Heating Pad for Spring Chicks SE PA

[DuckDuckSook]

Hello Friends!
I'm just reaching out for some insight and feedback.
I've always brooded our chicks in the house, but the dust and smell is a bit too much for my husband.
I'm thinking about using the garage. I checked the weather over the next few weeks and it looks like at night the coldest it will get will be 30 degrees. I'd be using a Mama Heating Pad and I can also cover the brooder with a blanket/towel to keep the heat in. The brooder is a playpen lined with a tarp all the way up the sides. What do you think? Has anyone done this at this time of year with similar climate and a brooder plate? Thanks in advance.

 

[DobieLover]

I would not line the playpen with a tarp but leave it open for lots of ventilation. If you want to trap heat place the towel over the brooder plate. Make the back legs shorter than the front legs to make it cave-like and that would be the absolute ideal setup for the chicks. I have brooded this way in New York springs where the night time temperature went down to 23 and the chicks positively thrived that way.

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I have brooded on my back porch in colder weather than that so I say go for it.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

I would not line the playpen with a tarp but leave it open for lots of ventilation. If you want to trap heat place the towel over the brooder plate. Make the back legs shorter than the front legs to make it cave-like and that would be the absolute ideal setup for the chicks. I have brooded this way in New York springs where the night time temperature went down to 23 and the chicks positively thrived that way.

Thanks. I thought it would be okay, but just wanted to hear from others who have had success. The Mama Heating Pad has been the best thing. I've used it, like you said, to create a cave and every year, it's been a wonderful way to keep our chicks warm.

 

[DuckDuckSook]

I have brooded on my back porch in colder weather than that so I say go for it.

Thanks. If it was the middle of winter, I'd be more nervous, but it's spring and the temps aren't going to go too low now.