Creating better brooding space-ideas needed

[kristip]

hi...my hubby surprised me by saying that he is fed up with the brooder dust from chicks in his study, lets build something better.
We are going to take a walk in closet and make a brooder space. It has metal shelving that will allow me to put two 50 gallon rubbermade tubs on floor and two on shelves for chicks. I have one EcoGlow and just purchased two heating plates for other tubs. He wants to put in some type of bathroom fan or something we can run for all the dust they let off... any suggestions on this? Figuring the closed space will help keep the heat up (room is in our basement so not as hot as upstairs). Anything else we are forgetting?

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Can you make brooder space in one of your outbuildings? I really like chicks raised outdoors.

 

[kristip]

It is winter in Wisconsin and there is no heat in my coop. I keep them inside for first 4-6 weeks and then move to brooder in my garage.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I see. You have no means of getting electricity to the coop?

 

[aart]

Why hatch during a Wisconsin Winter?
Not sure tubs will suffice size wise for 4-6 weeks.
Just how big are your 50 gal tubs, in inches by inches by inches?

Can you vent that fan outside?
Keep in mind, dust in a non-sealed motor can be a fire hazard.
There are special fans for use in barns that help protect against dust fires.

 

[kristip]

Why hatch during a Wisconsin Winter?
Not sure tubs will suffice size wise for 4-6 weeks.
Just how big are your 50 gal tubs, in inches by inches by inches?

Can you vent that fan outside?
Keep in mind, dust in a non-sealed motor can be a fire hazard.
There are special fans for use in barns that help protect against dust fires.

We hatch for 4h kids (ours and others) and fair. We have been doing this for a few years but the volume has grown. Chicks need to be hatched in January to be a proper size to show in June or will be disqualified.
Typically they are 4 weeks when they go outside to the garage brooder. Husband was thinking a bath type fan might work

 

[Folly's place]

If you have an attached garage, start them inside for a very few days, and then move them to the garage!!! No way do I have chicks in my house for more than a very few days, if at all.
Brooder plates and maybe a heat lamp will be fine, and those chicks will not be an indoor issue.
Get someone else to raise them; it's someone else's turn!
Mary

 

[wyoDreamer]

You will need a light source in your closet for the chicks. Maybe a timer to turn the lights on and off to simulate daylight.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I don't know if you have carpet down or anything, but if not make sure to insulate between the concrete floor and the tub for the bottom chicks. Bare concrete will suck a lot of heat away from the surroundings.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

If I must brood indoors a less expensive and more versatile option is cardboard boxes. Large moving boxes at Lowe's are $1.25. As the chicks grow, you can add boxes by cutting doorways between them. Heat plate in one, water in another and feed in another.
When you are done with a brooding, you can compost the boxes - feces, bedding, cardboard and all.