Brooding chicks in a greenhouse

[Laci7210]

I have a new greenhouse and won't be putting plants in it until February. I'm getting chicks next week and need a brooder. Can chicks be brooded in a greenhouse?

 

[chicmom]

I think it would work as long as you can control the temperature so the chicks will be comfortable. Some green houses get very hot.....

 

[iwiw60]

X2 .. I think the temp would be way too high.

 

[Chipper Chicken]

Two questions. Does it have an auto-vent to open at 75-80 degrees or so, and maybe more important, is it predator proof? If the structure is plastic it would not be, if it's polycarbonate panels then maybe, but on the other hand if it does have an auto vent or louvre red windows it may not be safe when they open.....You don't say how many chicks or type of greenhouse.......more details?

 

[Chipper Chicken]

I meant Louvered windows! Lol, still learning this site. ;~)

 

[Laci7210]

Thanks for all the replies! We made the greenhouse and it is made out of cattle panels bent over it (looks like an arch) and boards across the bottom. I was thinking about wrapping the bottom in poultry netting or some type of smaller wire before putting the cover on. I don't know what the cover is, it's the wrap that they use on greenhouses..? I am going to have 30-40 chicks. I'm going to start them in a watermelon box that is already set up but im afraid they will outgrow that very fast! There is also a window up high on the greenhouse and a walk in door. Ideas???

 

[Chipper Chicken]

Hmmm. I would definitely put hardware cloth along the bottoms, lots of predators can dig right under or fit through the openings in cattle panels. Someone here on BYC did a nice post on using them, I'll see if I can find the link.
Greenhouse coverings can be rigid panels that are screwed or bolted on. If they are flat, not a problem, but a lot of panels are wavy, they have ridges that need special molding to close the openings and for fastening the panels down. ( if the covering is just plastic in sheets I think it might work if lots of 1/4" hardware cloth is used also. Where are you? Do you get terribly hot where you are? A lot of people are having trouble with their chickens not handling the heat well, even in "rainy" Oregon (where it's NOT raining this week).
Windows should be covered with hardware cloth as well, at least temporarily, but if you're putting plants in in February you may leave it in place to keep wild birds and such out.
Could you get a thermometer inside the greenhouse to check the temperature? Day and night.
30-40 chicks would be happy in there if you can get it safe and the right temperature. I have a greenhouse I was thinking of doing the same thing with ( but I'm building a mobile coop for now) and putting rabbits in as well like this lady in Massachusetts did (google Sol Viva), but I'm ... not doing it ....yet.

 

[Chipper Chicken]

Laci7210,

Another thought(or two,lol)! on temperature in greenhouses, I've used what's called a double poly system (two layers of opaque plastic sheeting with an inflated air pocket in between them) for years, and although better it's still too hot to be in for more than a couple minutes in the summer. My plan was originally to move them all out for the summers.....if you put shade cloth over the whole thing it will help bring the temperature down. Also, if you are going to have a automatic type (even a simple hose timer) water system maybe you could use misting type sprinkler heads in a way that cools things down without getting the babies wet, lol. In years past when I had to work inside in the heat I set a lawn type sprinkler up to spray the outside and top of the GH during the hottest parts of the day. THAT REALLY helped!

 

[Chipper Chicken]

This is the thread for the hoop coop.....

Permanent Hoop Coop In Progress_Update!!! See Post #34!!!!!!!!!!!!

Another thought, do you have power to the GH? If so think a fan blowing through (but not too close!) a drip of water towards the chick area, works like a swamp cooler.

Hope these ideas help. Feel free to PM me if you wish.

 

[Laci7210]

Thank you for all the ideas!! All we have so far with the greenhouse is lumber across the bottom and over the ends and cattle panels curved over the top. What could I cover it with that will keep it from getting too hot and predator proof??? And safe from weather so I could use the heat lamp? Maybe I could make half of it enclosed and half like a yard? (I'm considering making it a full time chicken brooder/house and making another for a greenhouse) Thanks again!!!!!!!