Brooder pics and a couple questions

[booth2010]

So below is my redneck brooder. I used stuff I had lying around as my wife says I’ve spent enough money already. I used a dog cage we no longer need and some 2x2 I had from a previous project. For now when the chicks are super small I have the box in there to keep them contained and so I can easily get in and grab them. There is maybe 1’ of pine shavings, probably less. Once the chicks start escaping the box I’ll remove it and they can roam the whole 3.5x6 brooder.
You can see the MHP covered by some wood chips, I need to test the temp on it tonight as it’s over 100 in my garage right now. I used cling wrap to secure the heat pad to the underside of the hardware cloth. The water and food containers are a good distance from it. I will adjust the height of the MHP when the chicks arrive and I can see how tall they are as I have no idea this is my first time trying to raise chickens.

I guess my only question at this point is, during the day if the temp in the garage is over 100, closer to 110 today, will the chicks be okay? There is a window right above them I can open to have some ventilation in the garage. Or should I hook up a small fan to blow in that direction and they can go under the MHP if cold? I will make sure the water dish is always full. I’m starting to second guess myself as the arrival date closes in. They should arrive this week.

 

[booth2010]

Forgot to post pics. Here they are:

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

They should be fine if it gets hot. I wouldn't do a fan...

 

[rosemarythyme]

That's pretty hot. I wouldn't put a fan on them, but is there any other location you can put them where it's a little cooler? I wouldn't be surprised if they don't ever use the heat pad either, if it's that hot.

 

[snow5164]

I have a fan set up to blow over my brooder , it just moves the air.

The sides of mine are solid though ,

If you have any problems with the plastic wrap ( like them pecking it) you can use bungee cords to hold the pad under your frame ... loose plastic wrap ( or any plastic wrap)could be a hazard for chicks .

I like your redneck brooder

 

[HenHouse4Life]

They should do fine in that temp. The "regulated " temperature for day olds isn't that far off from your current temperature anyway.

I use a brick to set the water on, otherwise they'll kick the shavings into it.

You did a great job for just getting started! Great use of repurposing items you already had

 

[booth2010]

The only cooler place would be inside the house and that isn’t happening. I will probably keep the window open slightly. If it seems to be too hot for them I’ll set the fan on the opposite side of garage to promote air flow, that sound a bit better? No direct blowing on the chicks.

The pecking of the plastic is a concern I had, if I see evidence it’s happening I will do the bungee cords.

At night it drops below 90 that’s my only concern. I had the heat pad on medium setting now with my meat thermometer touching the underside where the chicks backs will be to see what the temp is. So basically from 8pm-9am is the only concern. I do need to set a brick under it, as you can see from the pick just with me stepping in the box to adjust the MHP I kicked a lot of shavings in it.

Thanks for the advice everyone.

 

[tinakevin]

If u can try to wrap the bottom of your cage with hardware cloth or even cardboard. Chicks can fit thru an opening that wide. I learned my lesson the hard way lol.

 

[booth2010]

I have cardboard I can put up. I was thinking about that but also thought that by the time they can escape the box they may not be able to fit.

 

[booth2010]

Chicks shipped, I would imagine they’ll arrive Wednesday since they’re coming from Missouri. I put the water on a paver and put the food container on a piece of cardboard so they can easily distinguish it from the pine shavings.

Question, I know to dip their beaks into the water and I’ll do that as I put them in the brooder, but will they just find the feed or should I also put them by the food when I put em in?