Thinking of brooding outdoors.....

[FamilyFarm12]

Let us know how brooding outdoors goes!

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Let us know how brooding outdoors goes!

Ok!

 

[blackdog043]

I have 13 chicks that I'm brooding in my coop right now, with the mama heat pad. Highs are upper 50's, lows upper 20's - low 30's. I have them in a dog X-pen, covered with chicken wire, to keep them separate from the bigger chickens. I am also going to use the portal door, I think it's a great idea. I had them in my garage for the first couple days, because the X-pen wasn't ready. I have the heating pad on 6 with these temps to start and will turn it down to 5 in another week. It will be different for them, so you might have to put one or two underneath the pad and put your hand in front, until they realize, it feels nice and warm under there and continue with the rest. Here's what I used to put my heating pad on, it's a cooling rack 14 x 20, I have the 12 x 24 pad.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I have 13 chicks that I'm brooding in my coop right now, with the mama heat pad. Highs are upper 50's, lows upper 20's - low 30's. I have them in a dog X-pen, covered with chicken wire, to keep them separate from the bigger chickens. I am also going to use the portal door, I think it's a great idea. I had them in my garage for the first couple days, because the X-pen wasn't ready. I have the heating pad on 6 with these temps to start and will turn it down to 5 in another week. It will be different for them, so you might have to put one or two underneath the pad and put your hand in front, until they realize, it feels nice and warm under there and continue with the rest. Here's what I used to put my heating pad on, it's a cooling rack 14 x 20, I have the 12 x 24 pad.

View attachment 1284105

Whoa! That is really smart! Thank you very much!

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

I’m going to be getting 3 chicks. Will the smaller Sunbeam Xpress heat work?
@Blooie

 

[debid]

I used the regular sized pad because my brooding coop is designed with 4-6 chicks in mind. I put 6 in last time and it was more than roomy enough.

 

[Blooie]

I used the smaller one for 11 once - but not for long!

Yeah, I’d say you could probably do 3 under the smaller one with no issues.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Hi y’all!
So we are getting 2 dog crates today, we ordered the large heating pad, and we’re getting the food now!
I want to put the heating pad dome in the dog crate. We are trying to get a pet playpen for their run. I plan to cover it with bird netting so hawks can’t get them. I’m wondering if y’all have any insight on how to predator proof the dog crates so they could sleep in it. What do y’all think? @Blooie

 

[Blooie]

Remember that MHP takes up quite a large footprint in any brooder. Since not all dog crates are created equally, it would be helpful to see photos of your crates, how you plan to use them and where you are planning to put them and the puppy playpen.

 

[4 Georgia Hens]

Remember that MHP takes up quite a large footprint in any brooder. Since not all dog crates are created equally, it would be helpful to see photos of your crates, how you plan to use them and where you are planning to put them and the puppy playpen.

Ok! I’m getting them now!