So THIS is where all the chicken people are...

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

You don't want to keep the heat contained. You want ambient temps and one heated are to warm up in and sleep in. You want lots of ventilation and zero drafts.

I understand all of that. I need to be able to keep one area warm enough for them to be happy and safe even when it is cold in the garage...especially that first week to ten days.

An Ohio Brooder (4x4, four inches off the top of the litter - sits inside the larger, 6x6 brooder) allows them in and out as they want, all while inside my larger brooder. They will be able to stay in the high temp area or cool off outside of it. There is plenty of ventilation. As they grow, I can just put blocks/bricks under the legs to raise it up. I will post a pic once I get that Ohio brooder wired up and working (doing that after lunch). After that first week or so, I can probably shut off one of the two 250w bulbs and maintain temps inside. I will also have a heat lamp on the outside of that area to provide a bit warmer ambient temperature outside of the warm area.

 

[KS_Chicken_Wrangler]

Sad day in the chicken business today. Had my first loss. Pico went down to a hawk...best guess anyway. When I pulled up, none of the chickens were out of the coop (strange because I moved their netting and they were loving their new foraging area). Then I noticed I had an Australorp out. Walking up to the coop I saw the hawk fly out of the tree and I knew why she was out and the others were inside. Then I noticed Pico. Predators are part of the business. Still sucks.

 

[Chicken_Obsesser]

I'm so sorry for your loss! I've lost many birds to hawks but it still hurts every time. Sweet Pico will be remembered.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Hello & welcome to BYC! Gotta love those black australorps I have one named Phyllis.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

Sad day in the chicken business today. Had my first loss. Pico went down to a hawk...best guess anyway. When I pulled up, none of the chickens were out of the coop (strange because I moved their netting and they were loving their new foraging area). Then I noticed I had an Australorp out. Walking up to the coop I saw the hawk fly out of the tree and I knew why she was out and the others were inside. Then I noticed Pico. Predators are part of the business. Still sucks.

I'm so sorry for your loss, that's always so hard

 

[janiedoe]

Sad day in the chicken business today. Had my first loss. Pico went down to a hawk...best guess anyway. When I pulled up, none of the chickens were out of the coop (strange because I moved their netting and they were loving their new foraging area). Then I noticed I had an Australorp out. Walking up to the coop I saw the hawk fly out of the tree and I knew why she was out and the others were inside. Then I noticed Pico. Predators are part of the business. Still sucks.

I am very sorry.