26 day old chicks arriving TUESDAY!

[FrankiesFamFarm]

Hi chicken community! It’s been a while

We recently moved and are starting up our chicken farm, again.

I just built a large coop (can handle 75 birds) and we get our first batch or 26 day olds this week.

Question - basement or garage first few weeks? Basement warmer. I do have heat source for the little ones. Will keep at right temps for first 8 weeks.

How large should brooder size be at 4, 6, 8 weeks? My guess is about 1sf at first, 2 at 4 weeks and maybe 4sf per pullet by 8th week?

Coop is NOT heated. Can they go from warm and cozy to potentially 20 degree nights once fully feathered? I’m thinking maybe start in basement, move to garage after week 8 (colder but not frigid) and then outside at 10 weeks?

Would love any advice from you experts. I (always) greatly appreciate it.

 

[FrankiesFamFarm]

Hi chicken community! It’s been a while

We recently moved and are starting up our chicken farm, again.

I just built a large coop (can handle 75 birds) and we get our first batch or 26 day olds this week.

Question - basement or garage first few weeks? Basement warmer. I do have heat source for the little ones. Will keep at right temps for first 8 weeks.

How large should brooder size be at 4, 6, 8 weeks? My guess is about 1sf at first, 2 at 4 weeks and maybe 4sf per pullet by 8th week?

Coop is NOT heated. Can they go from warm and cozy to potentially 20 degree nights once fully feathered? I’m thinking maybe start in basement, move to garage after week 8 (colder but not frigid) and then outside at 10 weeks?

Would love any advice from you experts. I (always) greatly appreciate it.

 

[deidreg]

Gorgeous coop! I want to live there!

 

[Iluveggers]

What are you using as a heat source in the brooder? 1sq ft per chick should be good up to 4 weeks.

 

[Chicks in VA]

Coop is NOT heated. Can they go from warm and cozy to potentially 20 degree nights once fully feathered? I’m thinking maybe start in basement, move to garage after week 8 (colder but not frigid) and then outside at 10 weeks

good plan as long as you gradually ween them of the heat during the first 8 weeks

 

[FrankiesFamFarm]

What are you using as a heat source in the brooder? 1sq ft per chick should be good up to 4 weeks.

Hi

I’m using two 16 x 24 adjustable brooder heating plates. It’ll provide 95 degree heat at first and I can raise each week as needed until they no longer require.

 

[FrankiesFamFarm]

good plan as long as you gradually ween them of the heat during the first 8 weeks

Yes. I’ll keep close attention to this. Thank you.

 

[FrankiesFamFarm]

Gorgeous coop! I want to live there!

Haha. Wife said - if I can see it from the house - make it cute! Lol. I tried. (And thanks)

 

[Chicks in VA]

Hi

I’m using two 16 x 24 adjustable brooder heating plates. It’ll provide 95 degree heat at first and I can raise each week as needed until they no longer require.

where did you get the plates and how much?

 

[FrankiesFamFarm]

where did you get the plates and how much?

Each plate was 119 dollars and I bought them on Amazon. If you give me about 2 weeks I’ll give you my honest review. In the past, I’ve used lamps - these had great reviews and allegedly much safer.