Well were I call home right now, its simply not possible to brood chicks indoors. And I happen to have a rabbit hutch with 1/4" hardware cloth that could be freed up.
So outside rabbit hutch brooder.
Only I really really don't want to put my mama heating pad outside, I don't think I could waterproof the controller. And I use that heating pad when the chicks aren't.
What about a wool hen then? So I built one. Foam board, Gorilla tape and a $5 wool long coat from Good will.
Not certain its right though so I found one of my seedling heat mats and put that at the bottom. We are still having nights below freezing for a few more weeks yet and there's only 6 chicks going in this week. 15 more coming next week. I Think I have too much space between the wool and the floor about 3" . Can you use hay in the brooder? Or should shavings piled high? To bring the floor up a few.
I have a wireless thermometer I put in there to help keep an eye on them. Currently reading 50* inside and its 30* outside. No chicks in it yet.
So outside rabbit hutch brooder.
Only I really really don't want to put my mama heating pad outside, I don't think I could waterproof the controller. And I use that heating pad when the chicks aren't.
What about a wool hen then? So I built one. Foam board, Gorilla tape and a $5 wool long coat from Good will.
Not certain its right though so I found one of my seedling heat mats and put that at the bottom. We are still having nights below freezing for a few more weeks yet and there's only 6 chicks going in this week. 15 more coming next week. I Think I have too much space between the wool and the floor about 3" . Can you use hay in the brooder? Or should shavings piled high? To bring the floor up a few.
I have a wireless thermometer I put in there to help keep an eye on them. Currently reading 50* inside and its 30* outside. No chicks in it yet.
