this is my new brooder its suitable for 2-4 hens. but would it be good for chicks due in January? it is placed inside another shed but and will have a powerful lamp on top (but not enough to make them pant and overheat) and they wont be able to go out in the run till their fully feathered. <this is the brooder .
That looks good for one hen and her brood. I usually have one brood per pen, just in case the other birds decide to harm the young. All you would need is a 60-100 watt light bulb 9-12 inches above the chicks to keep them warm. Be sure to place the bulb where the chicks can get away from the heat if they desire, but not too close to anything that may catch fire. "avoid putting water near the bulb". First 3 weeks 100watt then a 60 watt until they leave the heatbox on their own. Throw away the bulbs at each increment to avoid the bulb from burning out on a new brood. Putting an actual heat lamp is not needed sense it will be inside another building, and may burn the chicks and your brooder down. They will stop making the edison type bulbs at the end of this year, so i have a stockpile.
I can't tell how big it is but I would lean more toward 2 hens in a brooder that size - particularly during the winter when they don't have as many ranging opportunities. Best of luck with your future flock and Happy Holidays!!
It looks awsome for 2 or 3 fullgrown hens , or a batch of babies , you wont need a full heat lamp probly , if you use a 75-100 watt bulb it should work , could you find one thats red so they have less isuses with picking on each other (not a nesscity) or if you have it in your budget I would go with http://www.brinsea.com/prod-EcoGlow_Chick_Brooder-239.aspx this gives them the right amount of heat for there age without the worry of fire or chilled or over heated chicks or the messing around with what bulb to put how far and how close ect. Good luck.
