Future chicken caretaker

[chasitybouldin]

Hello! I have taken care of chickens before for a family member but never had any of my own. I live in Tennessee so the weather is always unpredictable. I want White Leghorn chicks to lay eggs for my family and sell them. Will leghorns do well in Tennessee's climate? Also, I was thinking about solar power for a heat lamp and LED lights. My chicken coop will be 20x30 approximately 600 sq ft, so how much wattage would I need?

 

[AGeese]

Greetings and welcome the BYC Flock!

I personally avoid lamps like the plague due to the hazard they present. I opt for E26 or E27 industrial fixtures with ceramic heat emitters that have a screen for protection, or I just use brooder plates.

I also avoid artifical light which can be a disturbance, unless natural light is unavailable. If I use any light I put it on a timer to coincide with actual daylight hours.

Leghorns should be fine in Tennessee.

 

[chasitybouldin]

Greetings and welcome the BYC Flock!

I personally avoid lamps like the plague due to the hazard they present. I opt for E26 or E27 industrial fixtures with ceramic heat emitters that have a screen for protection, or I just use brooder plates.

I also avoid artifical light which can be a disturbance, unless natural light is unavailable. If I use any light I put it on a timer to coincide with actual daylight hours.

Leghorns should be fine in Tennessee.

okay thank you! I was on the fence about the lamps due to the hazards. I only planned on using lights when I went to check on them when I get home from work since it is dark by that time!

 

[AGeese]

okay thank you! I was on the fence about the lamps due to the hazards. I only planned on using lights when I went to check on them when I get home from work since it is dark by that time!

I only add a heat emitter if I see one chick getting pushed out from the brooder and I want to make sure there's some coverage as I have a large stock tank. The cermaic bulbs are typically lower wattage than the light bulbs so not as hot, but may need to be hung a little lower to be effective (hence the screen.)

I have two of everything just to have a backups, I also will alternate my emitters to extend their lifespan.

I like these much better than the Brinsea models in my experience: https://www.theisens.com/products/k-h-pet-products-thermopoultry-brooder

 

[Ridgerunner]

I grew up in the Cumberland Gap area of East Tennessee. Leghorns should do fine for you.

After they feather out (after 6 weeks at the most) they do not need any additional heat. Forget the heat lamps.

I don't know how much power you will need for lights so you can see when you get off work. I understand you not wanting to trip over things in the dark. But for close inspection, consider a battery powered light you strap to your head. That way you can focus the light where you need to see up close when inspecting them.

 

[Shadrach]

I've never kept chickens in cold climates and I've had broody mothers to keep the chicks warm so I can't comment on heat plates and heat lamps.
What is I've found indispensable is a good head torch, preferably with a red beam option.
It's worth buying a decent quality head torch. When one needs one it seems one really needs one and poor quality stuff has this annoying habit of going wrong at that critical moment.
This would do the job.
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/17263953/petzl-aria-1-rgb-head-torch-17263953/4674886/&cm_mmc=googleshop-_-shopping-_-feed-_-all?utm_source=affiliate1030178&utm_medium=Editorial+Content&utm_campaign=https://ourmedia.co.uk/&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=1030178&awc=3549_1735775196_91118af8c6f6848fb890736d30c73fdc

 

[AGeese]

I've never kept chickens in cold climates and I've had broody mothers to keep the chicks warm so I can't comment on heat plates and heat lamps.
What is I've found an indispensable is a good head torch, preferably with a red beam option.
It's worth buying a decent quality head torch. When one needs one it seems one really needs one and poor quality stuff has this annoying habit of going wrong at that critical moment.
This would do the job.
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/17263953/petzl-aria-1-rgb-head-torch-17263953/4674886/&cm_mmc=googleshop-_-shopping-_-feed-_-all?utm_source=affiliate1030178&utm_medium=Editorial+Content&utm_campaign=https://ourmedia.co.uk/&sv1=affiliate&sv_campaign_id=1030178&awc=3549_1735775196_91118af8c6f6848fb890736d30c73fdc

When you said head torch I was like you got to be kidding... then I clicked the link