Brooder

[5peeps]

Ok ,
So I was wondering how many people have there brooders out side and if so is there anything special you need to do ?

Thanks

 

[Frizzledhen]

I have brooders out in the pole barn with the chickens. I can lock the barn up pretty tight at night so I don't have to worry about preditors. I do provide them with a heat lamp and a draft free enclosure. When they are around 4 weeks old I put them in a coop pen so they have lots of room to run around but still provide the heat lamp and a draft free corner under the lamp. We are still getting temps in the 30s at night but all my babies are thriving.

 

[redneck]

I have a brooder outside. Half of it is a run and half of it is a house. The house is about 3x3 foot, the run is the same dimensions. I keep a heat lamp and a thermometer in the house part. The roof on the house tilts back for easy access.

 

[AllChookUp]

Redneck - I've read that you should drop the heat by 5 degrees every week (or so). How are you doing this? Or aren't you worrying about it?

 

[redneck]

I wired a dimmer switch into the lamp. Plus when this picture was taken the outside temps were in the upper 90's. The night time temps were in the low 80's.

 

[5peeps]

So the coop I built is a lot bigger then the brooder I have the chicks in now
I have 5 chicks that range form 4 to 6 weeks old the temps at night here get in the 50's and during the day 65 to 70 do you think I can move them with a heat lamp out there for more space they would be keep in the coop only because I don't have the run built yet .

Here is a picture of my coop :

Or am I jumping the gun I just thought it would be nice for them to have more room .

Thanks

 

[Dilly]

I would move them and use a light at night. Mine are just 4 weeks and love having more room to run around, fly and play in. They are doing just fine and the temps are the same as you have right now for us.

Dilly

 

[redneck]

I agree with Dilly, move them and put some heat them.