Keeping chicks warm with no power

[Mac in Wisco]

Here's the smaller version. Say, about a 1 foot wide by 3 or 4 feet long, with a 3 inch flue running through it. Shelf on the end to set a oil lamp base, without the glass globe, venting directly into the flue. Should be good for several dozen chicks.

www.oillampman.com sells brass burners that screw on top of a mason jar of oil. They have a $3 and a $7 version:

 

[thunderchicken]

I live with solar power also, and just got a dozen chicks from a friend. Have been a little jealous of all of you that are able to incubate and brood. We have had alot of cloudy weather so am a bit worried. I know I can't have a heat lamp so I have a cardboard box the size a washer would come in, made a couple of holes and run an old mop handle through and put a 75 watt pink bulb in one of those hood thingies, a big towel doubled on the floor with paper towels over that. Seems to be working pretty well, the babies cheep quietly and take lots of naps. We've had solar for 15 years and love it, but at times it is a bit inconvient. I have to wait untill about March to start incubating. I love the ideas on the brooders and next time I can give that a try. Good Luck. Jan

 

[WildBurroShirts.com]

When the wind is bad here the power goes out.

So on stormy nights I fill one gallon water bottles with hot water and set them between the cages.

Or if you had a brooder you could wrap it in a towel and set it in there.

It'll radiate heat for a number of hours. Or you could have a couple of them.

 

[EweSheep]

I used hot water bags and ziploc them with bags so they can all huddle around it. You would have to keep replacing the water every so often. Worked well for me during the three days power shortage.

 

[onebuggirl]

Quote:
Careful when using these kinds of heating devices. They use the oxygen in the air to create the chemical reaction that creates the heat. So if your chickens are in a small enclosed area this can strip them of their oxygen. Be careful.

 

[onebuggirl]

Quote:
I used 2 one gallon milk jugs filled with super hot water. they like to snuggle up against them. I use them at night and then in the morning I fill them again to last the day...depending on how cold it is determines how many times I have to refil.

 

[cmom]

I had solar many years ago. We bought our farm and sold our house so no more solar. I am curious how to too.

 

[beakkeeper]

Where's the OP?

 

[jacrawley]

Quote:
Right now I have no chicks but I was planning on getting about 25 in the next month or so.

 

[Solsken Farm]

I would also get a feather duster or something to simulate mama and help them snuggle under and keep the heat.

You could also put them near a woodstove and monitor the temps, but I would still do the feather duster.

Edited to add:

Also if you have a very small room, heat it up to about 80 or 90 and with these the feather duster, they should be ok. Like a small bathroom or something.