Brooding meats in the garage?

[2pinkmom]

My new batch of 25 Cornish x is arriving on Friday. I've been raising my chicks in the tack room of the horse barn because it is heated. I'm thinking of moving the brooders into the garage this time for easier access. The garage is not climate controlled, temps should be highs in the 80s, lows in the 50s or 60s. They will have a heat lamp. Garage doors are normally open during the day when I'm home, and a fan can be added if necessary. I plan to move them out to pasture in the chicken tractor at 3-4 weeks. Does this sound like they'll be OK? I'm worried about them overheating, if anything.

 

[ourflockof4]

They should be fine in there. If you are worried about heat make sure you put a thermometer in there with them. As long as you are in the 90-95 deg. range the first week, then decreasing by 5 deg. per week you should be fine. Just monitor the temps and the chicks

 

[scubaforlife]

The only problem is everything will be covered in dust, lots and lots of dust.

 

[EGGTASKTIC]

Yes dust.
Also they are stinky little critters. You will need to keep the litter changed to avoid the stink.
The first few days are not to bad, but the second week is a challenge. Hope you spouse is the tolerant type.

As far as the temps in the garage go you should be ok. Keep and eye on the amount of direct sunlight.
If you can get them to three weeks and you nights say in the 50's and 60 you are set.

From what I have read temps in the 50's to 70's are the best growing conditions for broilers in a tractor.

 

[cassie]

If you have adequate ventilation and add enough shavings regularly so the litter stays dry you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[bucketgirl]

I brood in the garage.

Biggest problems:

- HUGE DUST EVERYWHERE. Everything was absolutely coated with up to 1/4" of dust. I have purchased a very very large filter system for future batches. (I will post pictures when it is set up.) This was not a happy thing for my h. as the motorcycles were covered and he was concerned for the paint. Bad for the furnace too.

- Rats. I was foolish and did not rat proof my feed or my garage. Dear h. just killed the 9th rat the day before yesterday. Dealing with that was quite unpleasant and nerve wracking.

That said, the comfort and convenience of brooding in the garage is wonderful. Now that we'll have a big air filter and secured the area from pests, I'll continue doing it for the forseeable future.

 

[danschicks]

I built an outdoor brooder early this Spring. I will never use the garage again!