Using the coop as a brooder?

[ndekens]

Hello all,

Im planning on designing a chicken tractor type coop that will be sufficient for about 3 hens.

When done the coop portion will be about 3x4 and say 3 to 4 feet high.

Im wondering about using the coop portion as a brooder for roughly 5 chicks with the possiblity of loosing 2 to being roosters

and the fact that this is my first time dealing with chickens. I would keep the coop closed up but allowing it to vent

and running a heat lamp off a thermostat in the coop. Then as the chicks get older I will eventually be letting them out of the coop into the run portion.

My goal is to prevent me from having to keep the chicks inside the house or garage as I got a bone head dog that flipps out at the sight of birds.

I live in the valley portion of california and its about 50 - 55 at night and 60-77 during the day now.

So what do you all think?

 

[iamsara]

hi, im new too, but i would build a section/divider, so the chicks are separate from the flock, but could be introduced as time goes by.
maybe a half plastic fence - half wood wall?? the plastic fence isnt too strong, but it can be lifted up and changed...
keep brainstorming! and maybe do a search on here for more infos!!

 

[ndekens]

Well that wont be a problem because I have no other birds now. It will be just the chicks in there.

 

[Anianna]

The larger the coop, the harder it will be to keep it warm enough. Have you already tried heating the coop to see if it gets hot enough?