Getting new chicks; they arent allowed inside

[Anasenes]

I am getting day old chicks from farm n fleet hopefully today, but my dad has made it clear that they cant come inside. I have a small coop that is very predator proof that I plan to put them in. In it is a heat pad and a shoe box with some old shirts in it that they can sleep in, as well as lots of woodshavings.

The nights here get to about 30-40°F and I am worried that they will still be cold.

Is where I have the heatlamp safe? Theres no safe way of situating it inside the coop.

[Edit] getting another heat pad is a option, but I would like to know if this works before I buy something.

 

[DobieLover]

I am getting day old chicks from farm n fleet hopefully today, but my dad has made it clear that they cant come inside. I have a small coop that is very predator proof that I plan to put them in. In it is a heat pad and a shoe box with some old shirts in it that they can sleep in, as well as lots of woodshavings.

The nights here get to about 30-40°F and I am worried that they will still be cold.

Is where I have the heatlamp safe? Theres no safe way of situating it inside the coop.

[Edit] getting another heat pad is a option, but I would like to know if this works before I buy something. View attachment 1761463

I would take down the heat lamp.
Can you post some pictures of the brooder area inside the coop? That is the more important part of the set up.
How many chicks are you planning on getting? That coop is very small. What are it's dimensions? Will it eventually be open to a completely secured run?

 

[SillyChicken]

I agree, the heat lamp is not going to help where it is. I wouldn't bother with shirts or the box, they will get full of poops and will need tossed out anyway. And the chicks will need to be able to move around - get access to water and food, will the shoe box be big enough to allow that?

On the inside of the coop is where you'll need the heat. I'll be honest I've never used a heat pad - just a light, so I can't say if that will work or not.
You could get a hook screw and screw it into a frame board inside the coop near the roof area, and secure the light to that. This way you can adjust the height of the lamp. You can tell when the chicks are cold or warm by the way they congregate around the heat source. If cold they will huddle up together under the light, if too hot, they'll spread out farther away from the light. They'll also be more vocal if they are uncomfortable. When they are small, there is less risk of fire. When they get fully feathered, you can pull the heat source out. Just check the bulb for tightness and dust the fixture off on a regular basis. (dads right - they will create a TON of dust in the house). This year I used a red, outside flood light, rather than a heat lamp. I find the heat lamp is very thin glass and prone to breaking. The flood light isn't as warm, but it has less chance of shattering.

I did have one hen brood chicks and raise them up outside in October when it was 30 degrees out or colder - it was pretty funny to see a hen with all these little feet under her. So they can survive colder temps, but need to have access to a heat source.

From the photo of the coop, it looks pretty small, you have room for only a couple chickens (unless it's only temporary for the chicks). Full grown birds need (depending on breed) a minimum of 2 square feet inside space per bird (and min of 4 sq ft outside). Measure the width and length of your coop, in feet, and multiply those numbers and you'll get your square feet.

Have fun with your chicks!

 

[DobieLover]

I agree, the heat lamp is not going to help where it is. I wouldn't bother with shirts either, they will get full of poops and will need tossed out anyway.

On the inside of the coop is where you'll need the heat. I'll be honest I've never used a heat pad - just a light, so I can't say if that will work or not.
You could get a hook screw and screw it into a frame board inside the coop roof area, and secure the light to that. When they are small, there is less risk of fire. When they get fully feathered, you can pull the heat source. Just check the bulb for tightness and dust the fixture off on a regular basis. (dads right - they will create a TON of dust in the house).

I did have one hen brood chicks and raise them up outside in October when it was 30 degrees out or colder - it was pretty funny to see a hen with all these little feet under her. So they can survive colder temps, but need to have access to a heat source.

From the photo of the coop, it looks pretty small, you have room for only a couple chickens (unless it's only temporary for the chicks). Full grown birds need (depending on breed) a minimum of 2 square feet inside space per bird (and min of 4 sq ft outside). Measure the width and length of your coop, in feet, and multiply those numbers and you'll get your square feet.

I think the minimums you are quoting are a bit small. For most LF breeds of chickens, quarters that tight will cause behavioral issues and potential health issues.
The generally accepted minimums are 3-4 square feet inside the coop and 10 sq feet in the run. I use 3 in the coop and almost 20 in the run and the two are connected and both completely secure so I never shut my pop door. IMHO, that is the way to go. Going bigger is ALWAYS better.
As for brooding in cold temperatures, I have a built in brooder in my coop with 15 chicks in it. I use a brooder plate so that would be a similar type of heat source as the MHP. I cover the plate with an old towel and have the towel hang down on three sides. The chicks are absolutely thriving in these conditions. I have a picture of them flying around their brooder on a 28F degree morning. They are 11 days old today.
I would make a MHP as described in the article below. It will work, your chicks will do well with it and Dad will be happy he has no dusty (and lets face facts here, folks: stinky) chicks in his house!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/yes-you-certainly-can-brood-chicks-outdoors.68067/

 

[chickens really]

Why can't they be started in the house? Definitely till a couple of weeks old at least?...

 

[DobieLover]

Why can't they be started in the house? Definitely till a couple of weeks old at least?...

Dad said "no" (and it is HIS house) and it really isn't necessary as long as the set up is good.

 

[Evelyn Walker]

Are you planning on brooding them inside the coop itself? The heat lamp should be inside if that's the case, it's not really going to help where it is.

 

[getaclue]

Why would you get day old chicks when dad says they can't come inside? At least, make sure you can provide for their safety, and needs before you think about getting any. There are sometimes other options too. Young pullets may be available in your area, if not now, then soon, which would not require a brooder.

 

[Anasenes]

I agree, the heat lamp is not going to help where it is. I wouldn't bother with shirts or the box, they will get full of poops and will need tossed out anyway. And the chicks will need to be able to move around - get access to water and food, will the shoe box be big enough to allow that?

On the inside of the coop is where you'll need the heat. I'll be honest I've never used a heat pad - just a light, so I can't say if that will work or not.
You could get a hook screw and screw it into a frame board inside the coop near the roof area, and secure the light to that. This way you can adjust the height of the lamp. You can tell when the chicks are cold or warm by the way they congregate around the heat source. If cold they will huddle up together under the light, if too hot, they'll spread out farther away from the light. They'll also be more vocal if they are uncomfortable. When they are small, there is less risk of fire. When they get fully feathered, you can pull the heat source out. Just check the bulb for tightness and dust the fixture off on a regular basis. (dads right - they will create a TON of dust in the house). This year I used a red, outside flood light, rather than a heat lamp. I find the heat lamp is very thin glass and prone to breaking. The flood light isn't as warm, but it has less chance of shattering.

I did have one hen brood chicks and raise them up outside in October when it was 30 degrees out or colder - it was pretty funny to see a hen with all these little feet under her. So they can survive colder temps, but need to have access to a heat source.

From the photo of the coop, it looks pretty small, you have room for only a couple chickens (unless it's only temporary for the chicks). Full grown birds need (depending on breed) a minimum of 2 square feet inside space per bird (and min of 4 sq ft outside). Measure the width and length of your coop, in feet, and multiply those numbers and you'll get your square feet.

Have fun with your chicks!

The coop is about 2'x3', and I am going to be getting 17~ chicks, 12 will be SR. Roosters im selling and I am going to be putting a bigger coop in there.

 

[21hens-incharge]

The heat lamp is not only ineffective where it is it looks like the pinch clamp is all that is holding it up.

Never rely on the pinch clamp alone. They are prone to failing or getting bumped and falling.


A 2'x3' coop is beyond to small for 17 birds. Even as day olds that is to crowded.

Why not get a smaller number of sexed chicks?