Heat lamp/Brooder question

[NNYchick]

Depending on the amount of chicks you are getting. Try looking into DIY brooder plates that use heating pad with no auto shut off and a structure to support the heating pad. Mine cost $20 -the cost of the heat pad, treaded rod, washers and bolts (I had a wire shelf already). My chicks are using it great. They are so quiet and sleep all night because they don’t have a light blaring at them 24/7. It has been easy to regulate and adjust too. Have one end higher than the other, the low end should be at chicks back, then they self regulate by getting closer to the pad based on the warmth they need. Here is a link with the main idea of it and number of people using it even in their coop with ambient temps in 30s. I never would have brooded my own chicks if I wouldn’t of found this as I’m scared to death of heat lamps.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

 

[Skipcurt]

All great responses so far. Thank you!!
I will be getting 5 chicks from a local farm/hatchery here in GA the last weekend of March. Typically it's not cold anymore then. Probably 40's & 50's night time and 60's & 70's day time. I'm building my coop/house now and really think I'll be complete by then but this being my first time I think I'd be more comfortable having them in the garage for at least 2-4 weeks for easier supervision. I'm not really planning on making brooding a habit so I'm not looking to invest tons of money in that portion only to have it sit on a shelf for years.
I will look into a smaller bulb and also a cheaper heating pad. Might even reach out to see if anyone locally wants to sell, rent or borrow theirs. I really do like the idea of the pad for safety, energy, reliability and sleeping conditions for the chicks.
I'm not completely sold either on the cardboard box but again it's cheaper than purchasing a dog crate or plastic container that again will be a pain to store and not be used. Not trying to be cheap, just trying to spend money where it counts. If I were to get or find a crate or container, what would be a good size for 5 chicks?

 

[Little Chicken Girl]

All great responses so far. Thank you!!
I will be getting 5 chicks from a local farm/hatchery here in GA the last weekend of March. Typically it's not cold anymore then. Probably 40's & 50's night time and 60's & 70's day time. I'm building my coop/house now and really think I'll be complete by then but this being my first time I think I'd be more comfortable having them in the garage for at least 2-4 weeks for easier supervision. I'm not really planning on making brooding a habit so I'm not looking to invest tons of money in that portion only to have it sit on a shelf for years.
I will look into a smaller bulb and also a cheaper heating pad. Might even reach out to see if anyone locally wants to sell, rent or borrow theirs. I really do like the idea of the pad for safety, energy, reliability and sleeping conditions for the chicks.
I'm not completely sold either on the cardboard box but again it's cheaper than purchasing a dog crate or plastic container that again will be a pain to store and not be used. Not trying to be cheap, just trying to spend money where it counts. If I were to get or find a crate or container, what would be a good size for 5 chicks?

I had a 2ft x 3ft with 4 small chicks and it was on the spacious end (for the first 3wks). I would optimally try not to go smaller than that for 5 chicks.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

All great responses so far. Thank you!!
I will be getting 5 chicks from a local farm/hatchery here in GA the last weekend of March. Typically it's not cold anymore then. Probably 40's & 50's night time and 60's & 70's day time. I'm building my coop/house now and really think I'll be complete by then but this being my first time I think I'd be more comfortable having them in the garage for at least 2-4 weeks for easier supervision. I'm not really planning on making brooding a habit so I'm not looking to invest tons of money in that portion only to have it sit on a shelf for years.
I will look into a smaller bulb and also a cheaper heating pad. Might even reach out to see if anyone locally wants to sell, rent or borrow theirs. I really do like the idea of the pad for safety, energy, reliability and sleeping conditions for the chicks.
I'm not completely sold either on the cardboard box but again it's cheaper than purchasing a dog crate or plastic container that again will be a pain to store and not be used. Not trying to be cheap, just trying to spend money where it counts. If I were to get or find a crate or container, what would be a good size for 5 chicks?

Good for you to plan well in advance and for having your coop complete by the time you actually get birds. You'll love this adventure even more by being so well prepared.
You might find a heat pad on craigslist or let go, even in the free section.
Many seem to gravitate toward Rubbermaid tubs for some reason. For just a handful of chicks, I like a cardboard box. A large moving box from Lowes costs about $1.50. I cover the bottom with paper towels to give them good footing. Every day or two you can roll them up and reline the floor. and after the chicks are done with the box, it can go in the compost pile, feces and all.
If the chicks have to stay in longer than a couple weeks and need more space, you can add another box with a doorway cut between. Putting the heat in one box and food/water in the other.

 

[debid]

Grocery stores like Aldi have those big produce boxes. You might be able to get a really nice box for free there. The bigger the space, the easier it is to provide a cool area and the longer it takes to get dirty. And don't worry that it's too big -- you can put a divider wall up for the first few days to be sure they have the food/water/heat routine down before giving them full access. I keep mine in a 33" square brooder house and then open the pop door to a 3'x8' run after a couple days. They LOVE having room and things to explore and a place for dustbathing at a surprisingly young age. I think spending the first several weeks of life in a box isn't so awesome but everyone has their own comfort levels.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I agree with debid. Being able to explore is much more stimulating than life in a box.
I have a coop that is just for brooding and it is at ground level so I just have to open the door so they can range after a couple weeks. Problem is, right now there are a bunch of adults in there. I have to get some more breeder pens done so I can use it for chicks again.