TwistedTayy
Songster
So I just ordered some hatching eggs (10 chicken eggs) and I’m trying to dial in the brooder situation. The eggs haven’t been received (or even shipped out) so I have time but I will be going on vacation about a couple days after they go in the incubator. So I want to get this stuff dialed in now.
Last year, I used tsc stock tanks set up in my kitchen. This fall, however, we have been battling German Cockroaches and the house is on an intensive professional treatment plan. I’m wary of putting babies in areas with bugs that have ingested poison. I also didn’t like the fact that the stock tanks were opaque and at ground level… I think that made for flightier birds.
I’m planning on converting our large potting shed into a multi-pen/brooder house for breeding and growing out but that won’t be until spring.
I’m going to build an elevated brooder box that’s kind of set up like a hutch with two sections (one for sleeping and warmth that is almost closed in and one for food and water and light and fresh air).
I was thinking the best course is to put the brooder in our carport (3 covered sides and roof) however I’m worried it will still be too cold. The chicks won’t hatch til end of Jan and they can probably last a week in a smaller makeshift brooder indoors.. but we still may have some days of about 15 degrees f. I don’t think it got colder than that last year. Would it be worth putting insulation on the sheltered part of the brooder? Would they be ok inside despite the pest treatments?
They are a somewhat cold hardy breed but I don’t know if that really applies to chicks.
Last year, I used tsc stock tanks set up in my kitchen. This fall, however, we have been battling German Cockroaches and the house is on an intensive professional treatment plan. I’m wary of putting babies in areas with bugs that have ingested poison. I also didn’t like the fact that the stock tanks were opaque and at ground level… I think that made for flightier birds.
I’m planning on converting our large potting shed into a multi-pen/brooder house for breeding and growing out but that won’t be until spring.
I’m going to build an elevated brooder box that’s kind of set up like a hutch with two sections (one for sleeping and warmth that is almost closed in and one for food and water and light and fresh air).
I was thinking the best course is to put the brooder in our carport (3 covered sides and roof) however I’m worried it will still be too cold. The chicks won’t hatch til end of Jan and they can probably last a week in a smaller makeshift brooder indoors.. but we still may have some days of about 15 degrees f. I don’t think it got colder than that last year. Would it be worth putting insulation on the sheltered part of the brooder? Would they be ok inside despite the pest treatments?
They are a somewhat cold hardy breed but I don’t know if that really applies to chicks.
