Ok.. First off, let me say that this is not the first time i've had chicks.. I got my first batch of chicks about a year ago.. I was very new to the whole chicken thing and I realized after time that the guy i got them from lied about almost everything.. They weren't the chicks i had originally wanted (told me they were pure rir but they are actually production red x speckled sussex) and then he told me that I did NOT need a brooder as they would keep each other warm.. I got 2 month olds and 4 four day olds.. One of the older ones dies 3 days after I had gotten them.. The other (who turned out to be a roo) actually acted as a broody hen and kept them under his wing to keep them warm.. They faired very well without a heat source... I got my second batch of chicks in August.. This time they were barred rocks from one of the local feed stores.. i did keep them in a brooder with a lamp.. They also did very well... Now we come to today... I am getting ready to get some more chicks next week (wed or thurs) and have set up the brooder a little differently this time.. I live in NC and the weather here is getting pretty warm already... The pics below are of the setup.. The biggest problem I am having is eventhough i have caulked all the spaces to seal it, my husband does not feel comfortable with putting a clamp light inside because of the way it is designed.. So, do I NEED to put a lamp in it or can I get away without it.. I am getting 10 chicks (golden comets and buff orps)...
Here is the back.. I have a piece of wood I can put up in the "window" if it is going to rain so the chicks don't get wet...
Here is the side (you can see the small run attached.. This will get bigger as they grow and eventually become part of the main run minus the brooder)
Here is the front.. I still need to close off the top part..
Closeup of the front
This is the inside, all ready with hay on the bottom for warmth
And here is the ramp I made for them (edges have been clipped so they aren't sharp)
Except for the front and the windows, it's draft free.. but, I built it so that 99% of the time, the wind would not be going directly into it.. The wind would be hitting the back or the side that is against the main run as would the rain... I wanted to give them more room to move around and go outside when it's nice.. My barred rocks never got that chance until they were about 3 weeks old and I always felt bad because i do free range my chickens for at least an hour or two a day but the poor chicks were always in the "jail"... Any advice would be appreciated...
Goddess
Here is the back.. I have a piece of wood I can put up in the "window" if it is going to rain so the chicks don't get wet...
Here is the side (you can see the small run attached.. This will get bigger as they grow and eventually become part of the main run minus the brooder)
Here is the front.. I still need to close off the top part..
Closeup of the front
This is the inside, all ready with hay on the bottom for warmth
And here is the ramp I made for them (edges have been clipped so they aren't sharp)
Except for the front and the windows, it's draft free.. but, I built it so that 99% of the time, the wind would not be going directly into it.. The wind would be hitting the back or the side that is against the main run as would the rain... I wanted to give them more room to move around and go outside when it's nice.. My barred rocks never got that chance until they were about 3 weeks old and I always felt bad because i do free range my chickens for at least an hour or two a day but the poor chicks were always in the "jail"... Any advice would be appreciated...
Goddess
