Need help on a brooder in the coop.

[Justanother Brooke]

Okay, so I think I have DH talked into getting 6-8 new chicks, as our local feed store will be putting in a special order mid-May, and I can get some of the breeds that I want.
He is adamant that the chicks are not going to be in the house again though. We just moved the last few outside about 2 weeks ago, and are still getting the dust out of here.
I'm thinking I can make a space in the coop, but need some input on it. Here is the area of the coop I am thinking (under the poop board)

It's a tad under 8' long, and I can re-position their food and water if need be. I do want this to be a temporary area, so I don't want to build a big wooden thing to fit under there. I have quite a bit of leftover chicken wire from some other projects, and was thinking that I could close off an area with that? Will the chicks fit through it (LF, not banties)?
Also, how the heck would I heat it? I just can't figure out how I would hang a heat lamp in there that wouldn't be too close and cook them!

So, people with tons more experience than me, please help!

Thanks!

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

That's a great place to put a brooder area. I'm working on one in my own coop, same concept! If you're going to use the entire underside I recommend that you make it so that you can slide a divider in it for later if you have an injured bird that you want to separate out of the flock but still keep with it's buddies.

 

[Justanother Brooke]

I've seen some setups that basically look like just cardboard for walls. Would something like that work? Also, has anyone used a reptile ceramic bulb for heat instead of a heat lamp? I'm kind of nervous about a heat lamp in the coop, but obviously the babies need the warmth.
Thanks!

 

[Black Cochin Bantams]

I use a large sterite clear container as my brooder when I have less than 12 bantams at a time. I use a 60 watt bulb over it when in the house. Tall sides keep out drafts and keep chicks in. I could use larger bulbs if necessary to warm hotter. When I have more chicks I use a cheap round plastic swimming pool. As chicks get bigger I put up cardboard wall twice as high as I think I need around the pool. Rounmd pool so there are no corners to pile up in.

 

[Justanother Brooke]

I do still have the large clear rubbermaid tub that I used for the three 12 week olds when they were little. I suppose that would be good for 6-8 chicks for a while (it was pretty oversized for three chicks). Then, when they get too big for that, I could probably just chicken wire them in (that sounds horrible!) until we get to full integration.
That may work...

 

[Arielle]

I have only brooded in the house, so my comments are just IMO. In the house I have double lines to hang heat lights. ANd in the coop , too.

You will loose the same amount of floor space if you move the brooder to along the side opposite the ramp to the roosts. Seems like there is enough room in the pic. Maybe be not. Uses the same floor space but it allows for the heaters to hang low or high, and be adjustable. Again, IMO.GL