Need help with best brooder option for new chicks

[GG Brit]

Hello - I had a small flock of laying hens before but never raised chicks. I have 5 coming in a couple of weeks and I’m starting to worry.

Having read a lot of posts and advice I’m now very confused as to best method for caring for them. I had thought to put them in my unheated garage (SoCal so probably 45-50 deg f at night) but then i read that’s not a good idea. They should be in a heated environment. Heat lamps seem dangerous and chicks can get stuck under the hard heating pads. I saw an idea for a heating “cave” and that seemed like a good option.

Anyone out there have thoughts that might be helpful for a neophyte chick mother? Thank you!

 

[EmmaRainboe]

I have raised a few batches of chicks with no issues. This is the brooder I use. I like to raise the front legs higher than the back so the chicks can go to a place in the brooder depending on how hot or cold they are so they don't over heat or freeze.

 

[springvalley123]

I'm about to make a mama heating pad setup. I haven't had the model shown by @EmmaRainboe, but once I tried a store brand of that similar concept. It died with no warning, fortunately that happened during my test run without chicks! With a few batches and no issues, I'd feel good about using that model, it's probably less hassle (and potential error) than a DIY approach. I like how you can adjust the height as the chicks grow too, and have the lower in back/higher in front.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The garage might not be too bad, as chicks benefit from having both hot and cool spots as they grow up. Especially since it's fall, you want to get them hardened to cool temperatures. Does it happen to have a window for natural light (would be great, not essential though)?

Since you mentioned having hens before, do you currently have chickens? If not, is the coop already built? You could brood them in the coop.

I use a "mama heating pad" set up and brood outdoors. My brooder and heat pad: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ - you can ignore the parts about integration if you don't currently have a flock.

 

[GG Brit]

Thank you - currently no chickens but the coop is metal and not heated so I’d be concerned with being out there. I like the mama heating pad ides if I can get all the materials together. I looked at that but wasn’t sure wh here the base of it came from.

 

[GG Brit]

I'm about to make a mama heating pad setup. I haven't had the model shown by @EmmaRainboe, but once I tried a store brand of that similar concept. It died with no warning, fortunately that happened during my test run without chicks! With a few batches and no issues, I'd feel good about using that model, it's probably less hassle (and potential error) than a DIY approach. I like how you can adjust the height as the chicks grow too, and have the lower in back/higher in front.

I'm about to make a mama heating pad setup. I haven't had the model shown by @EmmaRainboe, but once I tried a store brand of that similar concept. It died with no warning, fortunately that happened during my test run without chicks! With a few batches and no issues, I'd feel good about using that model, it's probably less hassle (and potential error) than a DIY approach. I like how you can adjust the height as the chicks grow too, and have the lower in back/higher in front.

Thank you!

 

[GG Brit]

View attachment 2393551
I have raised a few batches of chicks with no issues. This is the brooder I use. I like to raise the front legs higher than the back so the chicks can go to a place in the brooder depending on how hot or cold they are so they don't over heat or freeze.

Thank you

 

[rosemarythyme]

I like the mama heating pad ides if I can get all the materials together. I looked at that but wasn’t sure wh here the base of it came from.

Lots of variations on how to build a mama heating pad here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...d-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update.956958/

For mine the materials I used were a wire plate rack and some scrap welded wire, as I happened to have those on hand. My MHP came out super cheap because I used materials I already had, so I only paid for a roll of Glad Press N Seal. You really can use almost anything as long as the heating pad can be attached to it. The key with the heating pad itself is to find one without an auto shut off.

 

[cabincreations]

I have used the momma heating pad for my last two hatches and I am totally sold on it! I used heat lamps with no issues until they started making them with that thinner bulbous glass and they dont feel safe to use at all anymore!
My chicks go straight out to a brooder in my coop as soon as they dry in the incubator, and right now it is cold enough that we have been getting snow. I have four week olds out there right now that are doing amazing.
Heating pad brooder is definitely the way to go!