Heated water for brooder

[JonBoy7]

Has anyone had any luck using heated water in containers to keep baby chicks warm. I am trying to avoid electric heat sources. I live in southeast Louisiana and night time temperatures right now are in the 50s.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Bad plan, IMO. Either put electric heat sources in the brooder, or use a broody hen. You need to provide hens with proper heat, which is hot. Unless you're willing to spend every night swapping out a non-electric heat source every couple of hours, it's not going to work otherwise.
If you really don't like the idea of a heat lamp, use an electric hen.
If you don't have a broody hen, can't get one, and won't use anything electric, don't get chicks that need heat.

 

[JonBoy7]

Bad plan, IMO. Either put electric heat sources in the brooder, or use a broody hen. You need to provide hens with proper heat, which is hot. Unless you're willing to spend every night swapping out a non-electric heat source every couple of hours, it's not going to work otherwise.
If you really don't like the idea of a heat lamp, use an electric hen.
If you don't have a broody hen, can't get one, and won't use anything electric, don't get chicks that need heat.

Thanks I saw a few random post online from folks claiming to have had success but wanted to check here first. I have used heat lamps in the past but was looking other options.

 

[Fishkeeper]

Is it theoretically possible? Probably. Is it a good idea? Not at all. It's more of an emergency measure in case of a power outage.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I think it's great in the case of an emergency (i.e. power outage) but otherwise too inconsistent and probably way more work than simply using an electric based heat source.

 

[pennyJo1960]

If your birds have feathers they are fine think of them pre historic creatures they have built in clothes

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I mean I guess you could use some sort of small propane heater but that isn't any different than electric really. :T Chicks need heat, heat that gets hot enough to replicate a living bird body temperature, which is 107 internal. I don't think that's going to be easy to replicate without power.

 

[Fishkeeper]

If your birds have feathers they are fine think of them pre historic creatures they have built in clothes

Baby chicks, like you put in a brooder, don't have proper feathers. They would normally have the mother for warmth. If they aren't with a broody hen, they need a heat source, as their tiny, fuzzy bodies can't make and retain enough heat on their own.