Can I have an outdoor brooder without electricity?

[red horse ranch]

The patio isn't screened in, but if I used something deep like a feeding trough and covered it with hardware cloth, would that provide enough protection? And ventilation?

I think a sturdy covering of hardware cloth would help to keep cats out. Not sure if it would keep a raccoon out tho. But I really think they will need a source of heat for at least a month. And how will they be protected when the spring storms with high wind and blowing rain move thru? These are things you MUST think about before getting the chicks.