Will this work?

[Vian]

I currently have 2 older hens (about 4 or 5 years old and no longer laying) and I'm strongly considering getting a few babies this year so I can have eggs again. I would like to get 3 as I am eating a lot more eggs recently, and I can always sell or give away the extras. I live in a small duplex with a very large back yard. My appartment is only 500 square feet, but I have an attached garage. Would I be able to keep 3 chicks in a large storage bin with a heat lamp until they feather out? If not, would they be alright in my (unheated) garage in a larger container with a heat lamp once they are a little bigger. Like if I kept them inside in the smaller container for the first couple months, then move them to the garage for the last month or so? I live in Spokane, WA, so this time of year, it's still chilly, but getting warmer. Usually between 40 and 50 during the day. And in another 2 months it will be even warmer.

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

I usually brood my chicks outside in a hutch. Last Feb I did just that. The temperature under the heat lamp (100 watt bulb) was around 90°, everywhere else in the brooder was outside temp- which sometimes was around 30°. They were just fine, and you know what? They feathered out faster than any chick I'd kept inside! Just make sure there arena any drafts in the brooder and go for it! Good luck
Nikki

PS- I currently have 7 day old chicks out in my coop under a broody hen. Our low for tonight is 27°, they looked toasty warm and perfectly content when I locked everyone up for the night. Chicks are tougher than we think

 

[Hillschicks]

First thing ive found is chicks are much less fragile than people say... I'd put them in the larger bin in the garage with a heat source and stop worrying, they'll be fine

 

[Hillschicks]

Our last batch we got in september... They got a regular 100w lightbulb for heat in a rabbit hutch outside in michigan... They are 100% alive and well and as happy and healthy as chicks we coddled

 

[Backyard Munith]

I have my 10 chicks in my garage here in Michigan with just a heat lamp. They are doing great.

 

[coop-er]

You all sound like my husband! " really? How can you be so worried about those chicks... they will be fine!" and guess what? They are! I guess that is the origine of the phrase " tough chick"!!

 

[Hillschicks]

Your husband sounds like a very very wise man

 

[coop-er]

He is.. Kind of makes me stand back and say. "okay... I am overeacting" I mean, I am all for taking care of them but.....as he would say.. "Do you think they would still be around after all these years if they were so fragile?