Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder (Picture Heavy) - UPDATE

[Kater_tot]

We're so excited to try this method with our new chicks.
Our coop isn't finished yet, but our chicks are set to arrive soon. could I do this method in a dog kennel brooder on our deck instead of inside the house or out in a large coop? The coop would be finished when the chicks are 6 weeks old.
Temps are 80's mid 90's lately, although yesterday it was 74, and nights are 50-60's. Minimal rain, but they would be covered.

 

[aart]

We're so excited to try this method with our new chicks.
Our coop isn't finished yet, but our chicks are set to arrive soon. could I do this method in a dog kennel brooder on our deck instead of inside the house or out in a large coop? The coop would be finished when the chicks are 6 weeks old.
Temps are 80's mid 90's lately, although yesterday it was 74, and nights are 50-60's. Minimal rain, but they would be covered.

As long as chicks are protected from rain, drafts, predators, and any electrical is protected from wet, it should be fine.

 

[casportpony]

We're so excited to try this method with our new chicks.
Our coop isn't finished yet, but our chicks are set to arrive soon. could I do this method in a dog kennel brooder on our deck instead of inside the house or out in a large coop? The coop would be finished when the chicks are 6 weeks old.
Temps are 80's mid 90's lately, although yesterday it was 74, and nights are 50-60's. Minimal rain, but they would be covered.

Welcome to BYC!

 

[Kater_tot]

Yup! Our backyard is fenced and the way the house faces protects from wind. My German shepherd patrols at night for coyotes.

I'm going to line the kennel with cardboard too for protection.

Thanks for the welcome!

Excited for our babies to arrive! My8yo picked out Brahmas to raise and we can't wait to see their cute faces

 

[casportpony]

Yup! Our backyard is fenced and the way the house faces protects from wind. My German shepherd patrols at night for coyotes.

I'm going to line the kennel with cardboard too for protection.

Thanks for the welcome!

Excited for our babies to arrive! My8yo picked out Brahmas to raise and we can't wait to see their cute faces

Excited for you and looking forward to seeing lots of pictures!

 

[shadowfox]

Forgive me if these questions have already been answered. I have an electric blanket that we don't use anymore that I would be ok with using for chicks. If I fold up the blanket enough would it work ok? I'm worried about it being a fire hazard. How do you know which heat setting to use for it? With a heat lamp, you decrease the temperature every week. How do you do that with the heating pad?

 

[aart]

If I fold up the blanket enough would it work ok? I'm worried about it being a fire hazard.

Not a good idea, it is a fire hazard.
The heating pads have multiple heat settings....and you raise the pad as they grow.

 

[shawthorne44]

We are in Texas, and we'd gotten the chicks middle of March. By the time that the chicks could fly out of the giant rubbermaid container (about 2' deep), they could have been outside under a seedling mat. Daytime temps had been fine, it was only nighttime temps that were a problem.

 

[bruceha2000]

The coop would be finished when the chicks are 6 weeks old.

How many chicks are you getting? Keep in mind how fast they grow and how big they will be at 6 weeks. Your brooder will have to accommodate that.

 

[Kater_tot]

6 chicks, it's an XXL kennel for my 110lbs German shepherd lol
3 Brahmas and 3 surprise pullets

But I did have the same worry so am going to try to have their coop finished before 9/1. We are converting a playhouse into one with a small run, and then they will free range most days

Thank you again for the help