Using the Hen House for a Brooder

[cogorman]

Today the hen house portion of my coop will be finished. It's draft free (but has several ajustable ventilation options) and has withstood the test of three major gully washer and didn't leak a drop. What I want to do is turn it into a giant brooder for the next several weeks because my seventeen two-week-olds have out grown their brooder in my house, and I'm tired of the mess. This being Missouri, temperatures fluctuate considerably depending on which way the wind blows, but I figure with my lamp providing a nice warm corner there is not much difference between the kitchen in my drafty little old house and the hen house. What do you BYC experts think?

 

[GermanChick]

Hi fellow missourian

I am not a expert but I would give it a try but would give them a heat lamp. Just watch them how they behave and adjust the lamp accordingly.

 

[WoodlandWoman]

Sure you can do it. I've done it before, when I had a large number of chicks. I didn't want to brood 50 in my living room!

Just make sure you secure your brooder lamp so it can't accidentally fall, just like you would do in the house. The only problem with fluctuating temperatures at this time of year for you, as you've realized, is that you will need to keep an eye on the thermometer in the coop and make whatever adjustments you need to. I'm sure after a couple of days, you will get a good feel for what you need open or closed on the coop, at different times.

Congratulations on getting your house back!

 

[ShaggysGirl]

I brood mine out in the garage which shares a wall with the main coop. Last year I put the chicks when they were a few weeks old in the small coop. as long as they have a heat source they will be ok.
Having your heat source secured two ways in case one fails is a great idea.

 

[cogorman]

Thanks for the advice. Just waiting on a darn rain delay!!!