Outdoor Brooders

[aart]

Thank you! My chicks have always been under heat lamps- we have 2 and are moving them out to the out door brooder soon. Will I need a MHP along with the heat lamps?

No don't' need both, but you may have to 'teach' them how to use the MHP.

 

[LearninMyFlock]

Trial run with my outdoor brooder. Small outdoor hutch with a roof and a cage attached for a small run. Using the heating pad. I've never done this before. I covered the cave with towels to hopefully hold the heat in better. What all should i be watching for to make sure our babies are OK? They all were drinking and eating and then we showed them the cave. Most of them ventured out again but now they all found their way back inside. As long as they are quiet does that mean they are warm enough? Or what all should I watch for? Rather nervous as I've never done without the heat lamp before.

 

[aart]

As long as they are quiet does that mean they are warm enough?

Yep.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Quiet (or soft peeps) = contentment. Ideally you should see them wandering under the MHP to warm up for a little bit and nap, then come out to eat and play. At night (assuming you're not artificially lighting the area) they should all disappear under the MHP for the rest of the night.

 

[LearninMyFlock]

Yep.

Thank you!!!! They ventured out again and were eating and drinking again. So they are back and forth. I have cardboard all around the sides and on top and floor of the 'run' and a tarp over top. They are also on my porch under a roof for now. Thanks for all your help!

 

[LearninMyFlock]

Quiet (or soft peeps) = contentment. Ideally you should see them wandering under the MHP to warm up for a little bit and nap, then come out to eat and play. At night (assuming you're not artificially lighting the area) they should all disappear under the MHP for the rest of the night.

Thank you!!!! Read above post. Sorry I missed your post in the reply. So I'd say that's exactly what they are doing! So happy to have that outside this time and also know they are fine, warm and safe!!!

 

[renenchan]

Coop in the process of being built.... My understanding is that until they have all their feathers they should stay in brooder box? or in a protected area anyway if nice outside. Question- Do I need 1 box per hen or do they share?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Coop in the process of being built.... My understanding is that until they have all their feathers they should stay in brooder box? or in a protected area anyway if nice outside. Question- Do I need 1 box per hen or do they share?

If you mean nest boxes....generally I do a minimum of two boxes with one box for every 4 hens. Most will use the same box or two, that's instinctual, but it is handy to have them even if not always used....using fake eggs in the unused boxes helps spread the love

 

[LearninMyFlock]

If you mean nest boxes....generally I do a minimum of two boxes with one box for every 4 hens. Most will use the same box or two, that's instinctual, but it is handy to have them even if not always used....using fake eggs in the unused boxes helps spread the love

I thought maybe they meant brooder boxes? But either way.... Can hens share brooder boxes adjust hatching their brood? Or must each hen have their own space?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I thought maybe they meant brooder boxes? But either way.... Can hens share brooder boxes adjust hatching their brood? Or must each hen have their own space?

That depends on the hens, some are happy to share space, eggs and chicks......others want a good, wide personal bubble