brooder

[Chelseyb123]

I used a plastic dog cage with a heating pad under it . the heat came through evenly an correctly on the side on there mhp cave was on. Don't know how many chicks your going to need to house but I had only four at the time. They slept way better with the heating pad I thought No bright light on all the time. Plus easier to control the temp. An they got natural light during the day. The heating pad also gave me piece of mind when I want home. The heat light may work for some people but I don't recommend it.

 

[ben0125]

I do the same thing as @AlleysChicks but instead of a heat lamp I use an ecoglow20

 

[rita2paul]

I also used the biggest plastic tote I could find. We camp a lot so we have a tripod that we use for dutch oven cooking for over campfire. I used that tripod to hang the heat lamp from. Just shortened the chain when it was time to raise the lamp. Worked real well.

i never thought of that, what a good idea.

 

[rita2paul]

i have a red warm light, they say they can't see the infared light and they sleep properly at night, i know the white light can be upsetting for chicks as they don't get a proper rest. i have ordered a komodo light hanger, that will give me peace of mind.

 

[aart]

Brooder Palace for just a week after hatching.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/my-brooder-palace.67730/

Then they go out to the coop.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

This keeps them warm in both places.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/

 

[Spring Leaf Farm]

I just got a GQF brooder. First hatch of Ameraucana for the season. They love it and the water and food is staying so clean. Is amazing! I got it from Strombergs.

 

[Beckychick11]

Just wrapping up our first year. It has been great. Among the things I would do differently, is to listen to the advice that says... get the coop done first. Then you can brood outside... never again will we have chicks in the house. Our original brooder was a plastic tote. I think we kept it too hot. Wee had some casualties in the first week. So next time MHP out in the coop or run.

Do you live where it is cold? I've never had my chicks outside before fully feathering because of temps. I'm in the northeast. Can they go right outside to the coop?