Housing growing chicks (outgrowing brooder)

[NatJ]

So if we move them to a garage with some temporary fencing and a tarp or something on bottom and a heat bulb that should be good?

Probably yes.

I've done something similar. I laid a tarp on the concrete floor, then a layer of cardboard, then whatever bedding I was going to use on top of that. I used the cardboard because it protected the tarp from chick toenails, and because it stays flat better than tarp does. (I did not know whether the chicks would poke holes in the tarp or not, but I had plenty of cardboard, so I decided to just add it anyway. It also helps absorb water if they spill.)

 

[Baileybunchx5]

Probably yes.

I've done something similar. I laid a tarp on the concrete floor, then a layer of cardboard, then whatever bedding I was going to use on top of that. I used the cardboard because it protected the tarp from chick toenails, and because it stays flat better than tarp does. (I did not know whether the chicks would poke holes in the tarp or not, but I had plenty of cardboard, so I decided to just add it anyway. It also helps absorb water if they spill.)

That is what we are thinking. Also maybe putting their original brooder there in addition as they can go into their heat source and sleep if they choose.

 

[NatJ]

That is what we are thinking. Also maybe putting their original brooder there in addition as they can go into their heat source and sleep if they choose.

What heat source is in their original brooder?

 

[Chicken poppy]

This is my set up for my broody hen. This is really great to last a while, however isn’t a permanent coop for them, just a brooder. https://www.googleadservices.com/pa...NKi_sz9AhV2jIkEHSLlBvgQ5bgDKAB6BAgEEAo&adurl= I think this is the link for it.

You can choose not to add the pet taxi inside, i did to assure them they were safe due to the fact i had a broody hen watching over them.

This is great for flighty birds because it zips up so they can’t fly out, Japanese bantams are known for “flying” quite well, so i chose this. Best of luck!

 

[Baileybunchx5]

What heat source is in their original brooder?

We have a heat plate from rent a coop. for up to 15 chicks. But I also have a Heat Bulb we can use as we move them outside.

 

[Chicken poppy]

We have a heat plate from rent a coop. for up to 15 chicks. But I also have a Heat Bulb we can use as we move them outside.

Be careful, some heat bulbs can be a fire hazard. Mostly if to close to the ground.

 

[Baileybunchx5]

Be careful, some heat bulbs can be a fire hazard. Mostly if to close to the ground.

We have the heating plate right now. I am just not sure if that will be enough as they age or not due to space?

 

[Chicken poppy]

We have the heating plate right now. I am just not sure if that will be enough as they age or not due to space?

As they age they will slowly become less dependent on heat. I don’t know a lot about heating so i will let someone else answer this to give the best knowledge

 

[NatJ]

We have a heat plate from rent a coop. for up to 15 chicks. But I also have a Heat Bulb we can use as we move them outside.

You can probably just use the heat plate in the garage. Check the garage temperature, and check what the heat plate instructions say, but there's a pretty good chance it will provide enough heat.

Chicks do not need their entire space heated. They just need one place to warm up, and the rest of their space can be cool. It's nice if the cool space stays above freezing (so you don't get ice in the water), but anything down to that point is fine for the chicks.

The one place to warm up can be under a heat plate, or under a heat lamp, or under a broody hen, or quite a few other options.

We have the heating plate right now. I am just not sure if that will be enough as they age or not due to space?

You can watch them and see. If they are all trying to crowd under it and cannot fit, then you need something else. But if they can all still fit, and it seems to put out enough warmth that they are happy when they are underneath, then it is fine for now.

 

[Baileybunchx5]

You can probably just use the heat plate in the garage. Check the garage temperature, and check what the heat plate instructions say, but there's a pretty good chance it will provide enough heat.

Chicks do not need their entire space heated. They just need one place to warm up, and the rest of their space can be cool. It's nice if the cool space stays above freezing (so you don't get ice in the water), but anything down to that point is fine for the chicks.

The one place to warm up can be under a heat plate, or under a heat lamp, or under a broody hen, or quite a few other options.


You can watch them and see. If they are all trying to crowd under it and cannot fit, then you need something else. But if they can all still fit, and it seems to put out enough warmth that they are happy when they are underneath, then it is fine for now.

That is one thing I am learning they do tell you in their own way if they are warm or not. Thank You