My Brooder

[BrownChickenBrownCow]

Ok...Gonna try to post some pics of my brooder project. See if it works.

Day 1...made very little progress as I stepped on this SOB copperhead. That was enough for that day--went home and drank some whiskey and thanked the Big Man Upstairs for sparing my Dumb A.

Day 2...Got a little work done...here was the makings of the brooder.
(Not sure why it is sideways...tilt head for viewing!)

Day 3...Had to knock it on out and didn't take any progress pics, but here she is

Day 4...I picked up some hot chicks!

I am here now, need to raise the temp in there some, so working on that solution. May cut wire on top and lower lamp down in there some. Right now I have a space heater on the side blowing underneath, seems to be ok.

They are 2 weeks old today and don't really seem to mind that it is not perfect temp in there...or at least they haven't been huddling under the light.

Ideas on heat...add a light? Lower the light into the brooder?

Thanks!
Wise

PS--I have 15 RIR's, 2 RIR roosters, and 5 Barred Rocks...actually there are a 3 more RIR's, and 2 more Rocks in there right now that I am keeping for a friend til she gets her coop built and they are big enough to transfer over to her.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes, you should lower the light and/or add another lamp. It is up too high. Within a week or two, depending on ambient temperatures, they will likely need less heat. Also be cautious about a sudden rise in ambient day time heating and the chicks having no place to escape.

 

[BrownChickenBrownCow]

Thanks Fred... I lowered it down to the screen earlier (I just had it hanging there for the pic), but it is still not warm enough. I think I can just pull a couple staples from that end of the hardware cloth, cut out a small square for the plug to fit through the H-cloth and have it lowered INTO the brooder. (Not sure if that is a good idea or not, but I have seen pictures of others with the light down in there) The brooder is a little tall in itself (28", I dunno why...I think that is what size 2x2's I had left from cutting or something). Anyway, it is about 80 in there right now with the little ceramic space heater blowing from the side/underneath. Gonna wait a little while before I head home and make sure it is ok. It is warming up here in Charleston, SC...the interior floor space of the brooder is 8' x 3', so they have some room to move away from the heat source.

Thanks again!
Wise