feedback on brooder idea

[chickenboots]

I want to get some chicks (it remains to be seen if my hen will stay broody or I have to buy them). I have some questions on a brooder. My idea is to build it in the run under the covered part so my hens will get used to seeing the chicks on a regular basis. My run is plenty big (8 x 20 w/ only 5 hens and they free range almost every day). I live in FL so keeping them warm outside shouldn't be an issue. I want the brooder box to be on free standing legs while in the run so I can just pick up the box and move it to the yard and sit it directly in the grass during the day. I want them to be able to peck at the grass through the hardware cloth bottom. I only plan on a very small number of chicks (maybe 4 or 5). I will need to build it small enough so I can move it on my own for this to work but I want to give them plenty of room as they grow. Any suggestions on size? Also this will be my first time raising chicks. I know about lowering the temp weekly but it is usually 95-100 deg here every day. Do I even need to worry about a heat lamp after the first few weeks during the day? I don't want them to get too hot.

 

[colebarnhart]

Well, if your wanting to carry it and you're only getting a handful of chix you could go to home depot and in the back by the lumbar, they have mistakes and paint one end yellow or pink or green, and the price ranges from 50 cents to $2, and you could find those smaller pieces and throw something together real cheap and small. Sounds like you already have an idea in your head and being FL this time of year you wouldn't really need a heat lamp, but more like a low watt light bulb and really only at night for a few weeks.