Can you raise baby chicks in unheated garage

[MountainWoman73]

Just check on them often. I have littles out in a separate area of my big chickens' coop, and it's pretty cold at night (Colorado in April). Three days ago I was really bummed to get home from work and find the heat lamp bulb had burned out and they were all huddled in the dark. I brought them inside for a few days, and they seem fine, so I don't think it was out for too long.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I triple secured mine and only turned it on when it was below 45. And it was a 150 vs 250 watt heat source. I didn't even use it after the second week.

I actually only use heat lamps (or hens)... but 150 will start a fire as easy as 250w... Even secured... if something else comes in contact long enough... (just disclosure not fear mongering)

MHP, covered in Saran wrap... made for a lot of chicks stuck inside a death bubble. Not MY cup of tea... but still a great option for peeps.

 

[pennyJo1960]

last night was the first night. they seemed fine in the morning, came out and ate and drank but sometimes I noticed they are huddled in the corner instead of under the mhp .. once I show then where it is they seem to run back in...I would never put them out there without a heat source. It the surrounding air temp that I am concerned about. If I should add a heat lamp too??

I agree no heat lamps I have quit using them at all heating pads and hardware cloth make a great cave .. by the way the chicken wire is not secure please replace with hardware cloth

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I was really bummed to get home from work and find the heat lamp bulb had burned out and they were all huddled

Great point... bulbs burn out ALL the time!

The heating pad... well worth the investment in that aspect alone! Still working a decade later!

 

[LisaR720]

I actually only use heat lamps (or hens)... but 150 will start a fire as easy as 250w... Even secured... if something else comes in contact long enough... (just disclosure not fear mongering)

MHP, covered in Saran wrap... made for a lot of chicks stuck inside a death bubble. Not MY cup of tea... but still a great option for peeps.

Had great success with it last time...hoping the same this time. How do you secure your heat lamp?

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

Hello All,
This is my second time raising littles. The first go round they were in my house. We have recently built a garage and my question is can you keep the brooder out in an unheated garage? They have a mother hen cave with a heating pad. But can the garage be too cold for them? Its in the high 20 low 30s at night and the 40's during the day here in good old northern maine...HELP!

'Unheated' garage? Girlfriend, if you put chicks in the garage over here they'd be cooked already this time of the year! Hate it here. Gonna be hot summer, I can tell.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Had great success with it last time...hoping the same this time. How do you secure your heat lamp?

Usually hanging from a chain secured to the wall or ceiling by a screw or nail... not using the "clamp".

 

[chkva]

I grew up in Caribou Maine! The weather there can be quite chilly! If they're in a protected garage, I see no problem. You can use a heat lamp, heating pad, and other heat sources to keep them warm. I learned a new trick where you take hot water and put it into water bottles and stick it under their straw or wood chips (whatever you use). It keeps them warm and you just refill them when they start to lose their heat.

The chicks will tell you if they are too cold by making really sharp high pitch shrilling noises or chirps, you'll know then that they need more heat!

People raise chicks in Alaska without any power, so I see no problem with them being protected in your garage with a heat source!

Good luck with your chicks!

 

[LisaR720]

I grew up in Caribou Maine! The weather there can be quite chilly! If they're in a protected garage, I see no problem. You can use a heat lamp, heating pad, and other heat sources to keep them warm. I learned a new trick where you take hot water and put it into water bottles and stick it under their straw or wood chips (whatever you use). It keeps them warm and you just refill them when they start to lose their heat.

The chicks will tell you if they are too cold by making really sharp high pitch shrilling noises or chirps, you'll know then that they need more heat!

People raise chicks in Alaska without any power, so I see no problem with them being protected in your garage with a heat source!

Good luck with your chicks!

Caribou! Small world! so you know the weather here!

 

[chkva]

Caribou! Small world! so you know the weather here!

Yes! I get pictures from family all the time and I sit here and laugh. I miss getting 1-2 feet of snow in one storm though, it just keeps coming down and you never know when it'll stop.