Outside Brooder?

[rosemarythyme]

A few things...

I last brooded outdoors using a heating pad. Here's my setup. Sounds like you don't currently have any chickens so integration isn't an issue, just use the coop you've got for brooding instead of a separate brooder like I did.

Does it have a temp gauge or anything like that? I know you have to lift the top at different stages but would I need this alone or also accompany it with a light.

I believe brooder plates don't have a temperature gauge. If you make a heating pad setup instead, there definitely won't be one. Do not use a heat lamp with it. It's important that the chicks can both warm themselves and get relief from heat as needed.

@Kris5902 I really want 8 but space wise I was told to shoot for 6 so ill do that. As for a rooster, I'm really debating it.

I'd scale back. You said 4x4 with 6x8 run? That's room for 4 standard chickens. Roosters take up more space, I'd not purposely get a rooster in the initial batch. If in the future you decide to expand you can revisit the idea.

 

[SKYLINE]

Oh, thanks for the tip. I thought surely it hit 6 comfy but guess not. Neat setup btw, are you also using the DIY brooder pad thing? I don't need a temp gauge if it works but I read some things about keeping them a certain temperature so I was curious about it.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Oh, thanks for the tip. I thought surely it hit 6 comfy but guess not. Neat setup btw, are you also using the DIY brooder pad thing? I don't need a temp gauge if it works but I read some things about keeping them a certain temperature so I was curious about it.

Yes my heating pad is literally a heating pad, so no temperature gauge (it does have high-medium-low settings but no definition of what those mean!)

If you're using a brooder plate or heating pad, ignore the temperature instructions that go with heat lamps. Heat lamps work by heating the air, brooder plates/heat pads work by heating the chicks directly (they need to be able to press against it) just as a hen would. You'll know it's working if the chicks huddle under it and go quiet as they rest and nap, then come out to eat and play otherwise.

 

[SKYLINE]

Thanks, I'm gonna do the heating pad. Think I found one with the hi med low and no auto shut off.

 

[TomZilla43]

Hi Skyline, check this out. I used this ladies plans for outdoor brooding and it worked great for me. Here's the link: https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update

 

[123RedBeard]

With your current setup ... sizewise ... four chickens max ...

And yes, brood out there.

Make sure you use an outdoor rated extension cord, preferably just one length ... no junctions.

 

[123RedBeard]

With your current setup ... sizewise ... four chickens max ...

And yes, brood out there.

Make sure you use an outdoor rated extension cord, preferably just one length ... no junctions.

 

[wleigh1021]

I am planning on brooding outside this year too. I am in the northeast so I bought a cozy coop heater because it gets warmer than the typical chick heating plates. If you're down south you won't need that. You should be fine with the normal heaters that get around 100 degrees. The MHP is a good idea. I do suggest plugging any heat source into a surge protector just in case. I also bought a wyze camera so I could watch them and not have to trek out to the coop all the time. It would also alert you if the power goes out so you would know if you need to go rescue the babies from freezing. Only $25 on amazon and works great! Just a note on your chicken limit....I'm not sure what kind of chickens you are looking for or the qualities you want. But if you want them for pets and want more of them then maybe you should go bantam or smaller large fowl so you can get one or two more.

 

[paneubert]

Ha! I have a badge that says 7 years. I've never owned a chicken or made a post here. The heck was I curious about back then.

You made a comment on a post about someone finding a big snake in their quail cage. Basically said that to take the life of the snake, you have to have a good reason. That was your first interaction with BYC!

 

[aart]

Here's my version of the 'MHP'.....I call it the:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/pseudo-brooder-heater-plate.67729/