Brooding: Inside or Outside?

[kwhites634]

I haven't 'brooded' chickens for years.
Someone told me a long time ago that is what hens are for. They do a good job from what I've seen and they do it outside.

Thank you!

 

[Kris5902]

ah, but what comes first? The chicken or the egg? What do you do if you don’t have a good broody? I doubt I can get all my boys to sit on 80 eggs for me. Now my cat on the other hand? Maybe...

 

[aart]

I haven't 'brooded' chickens for years.
Someone told me a long time ago that is what hens are for. They do a good job from what I've seen and they do it outside.

So then, obviously, this is not a thread for you to comment on

 

[Alexandra33]

I personally enjoy peace and quiet, so not having them peeping away down the hallway is a bonus for me.

As far as socialization the chicks I raised outdoors ended up being friendlier overall than the ones I raised indoors. Part of that might be individual personalities but another part I think is the ease in interacting with them outside versus inside. Outside my brooder door opened from the side and they could see me from the side (whereas indoors I had to reach in from above and they could never see me from the side, as I used a bathtub) and because I had secure run space, I could just sit with them and let them explore the environment with me as part of it, which wasn't something I could do before when I had chicks in a bathroom since it didn't feel safe to have them running around in there.

And that's perfectly okay. Everyone is free to brood as they wish. Sounds as though you've created a lovely setup!

I experience high stress level most days, and noises from my beloved pets bring peace....though that's just my opinion. Those little peeps somehow ease the mind. Keeping in mind, they're raised a separate room, which could almost be considered an enclosed porch of sorts.

As far as brooding, I employ clear, shallow brooders to avoid invoking fear. None of our house is carpeted, therefore when we allow chicks "free range" time, cleanup will be far easier. Every situation proves unique. I couldn't let my babies roam outside due to the fact it's quite chilly. Little joy could be found in freezing my buns off attempting to socialize.

That's the beauty of poultry-keeping. Options, which conform to each lifestyle, abound!

~Alex