Dirt in the Brooder

[Madie'sOddFlock]

@Pork Pie I wish I had the space for that in my current situation, but the only spot warm and big enough for them is my living room... so we get through with what we have.

 

[Pork Pie]

@Pork Pie I wish I had the space for that in my current situation, but the only spot warm and big enough for them is my living room... so we get through with what we have.

Sure, we all have limitations and being inventive and flexible is the most important thing, imo

 

[DobieLover]

Part of what you say is true, but it's not all about the space available. Part of the problem in a brooder is that they aren't exposed to the same sorts of things that occur out in the open. Chicks that are outside are exposed to greater amounts of vitamins and minerals, as well as bacteria and viruses, which is why they thrive better, and where do they find most of these things...? In the dirt and rocks that they eat from the outside world.

Hence the sod plugs if they have no access to the outdoors.
Mind you, I brood my chicks in the coop in a built-in brooder with attached covered run. They are exposed to the flock and environment they will live it from the day they arrive... or hatch here.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hence the sod plugs if they have no access to the outdoors.
Mind you, I brood my chicks in the coop in a built-in brooder with attached covered run. They are exposed to the flock and environment they will live it from the day they arrive... or hatch here.
View attachment 1955288 View attachment 1955289

Very nice

 

[DobieLover]

Very nice

Thanks, Pork.

 

[Madie'sOddFlock]

@DobieLover I am totally jealous of your set up. Of course, we have 6 coops of chickens now that we've settled down for winter, and with 130 chickens our setup is practically constantly changing.
I'd like to get the babies out with the adults as soon as possible, but it never seems to work out.