Uninsulated Garage Brooder

[TyRi]

**new to BYC so hopefully I’m doing this thread thing right**
I plan on brooding in an uninsulated garage in Northwest Ohio. Chicks will be here by the end of this month. It gets rather chilly at night as it’s still technically winter and will say pretty chilly for the next month or so at night. (High 20s low 30s) I have the brooder built to house my 15 chicks. (Sapphire gems, speckled Sussex, starlight green Eggers) It is made of 2’ plywood walls and floor and plan to have a top of wire mesh on hinges. 3x5.5 feet but plan on walling at least half off for the first week or 2. I have a brooder plate but wondering if that will be enough if i do the bedding thicker. Do i need to put a plywood top on half of it to keep warmth in? Should I get a heat lamp to help? Am I overthinking it a little? Any opinions are appreciated!

 

[nuthatched]

Just a heat lamp on the end.

 

[Huntmaster]

(High 20s low 30s)

Most brooder plates are only recommended for temps 50 degrees and above. I use heat lamp and as long as they are secured correctly, they are not as dangerous as everyone thinks. Most fires are caused by incorrect mounting or too close to flammables.

 

[rosemarythyme]

A heat lamp to bring up the ambient temperature in the general area is probably the easiest way to go. Don't add extra wood on top, ventilation is important for all chickens.

 

[TyRi]

The garage doesn’t get much below 50 if at all. Have you noticed any problems with the constant light? I know people have used heat lamps forever so obviously not too big of an issue but figured I’d ask!

 

[Huntmaster]

I like them better, but I brood larger #s of birds outside so they work best for my situations. a lot of hatcheries recommend heat lamps over plates for first few days to get hatchlings warmed thoroughly faster for shipped chicks.

 

[Huntmaster]

The garage doesn’t get much below 50

You should be ok with those temps and plate but not sure what plate you have or their recommendations.

 

[Percheron chick]

You probably can't get the temp of the brooder up to 95 without a heat lamp to start. Put a thermometer under the brooder plate and see how hot it gets. I use both to start. You need to warm them up as fast as possible when they arrive. I have found that they are drawn to the heat lamp faster than the plate. After a week I start turning off the heat lamp if they are running around and happy. If they look stressed and cold, I turn it back on. Usually I switch the heat bulb to just a normal light bulb by 2 weeks.

 

[TyRi]

You should be ok with those temps and plate but not sure what plate you have or their recommendations.

I have the producers pride heater/brooder. Seems to get going pretty good on the heater option and pretty cozy on the brooder option

 

[Huntmaster]

You need to warm them up as fast as possible when they arrive. I have found that they are drawn to the heat lamp faster than the plate.

I agree I believe the red infrared light penetrates heat deeper into their body's unlike a plate just warming from exterior body takes longer. Not only does it warm them faster you can have feed and water in a warmer area than you can with plate at colder temps encouraging more time out eating/drinking rather than hiding under warm plate.