Help With Garage Brooder - Arizona!

[KenaiRiverRanch]

I live in Arizona and have had chickens before but never as chicks! We have our first flock of chicks and they are currently in the garage because I have cats and small children so I don’t have a truly safe place for them that my kids won’t accidentally let the cats into. It was perfect for them these past couple of weeks, but the heat is coming this week and I’m constantly nervous about them being in the garage. They will be 3 weeks old this week and seem to be doing okay, but it’s supposed to reach 90 degrees here this week and I’m afraid, even without the heat lamp on them, they will be too warm. I know that drafts are not good for chicks, but can I put a fan nearby in my garage to help air flow? It’s stuffy in there right now and feels too warm without some type of air flow. The temp in the brooder is between 80 and 90 during the afternoon without the heat lamp on. I am so afraid to leave them when I go to work this week because I don’t want them to overheat. Any advice would be helpful from those in warmer climates that struggle to know how much heat is too much heat. Thanks!

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

I have brooded in 90 degree weather before but in the coop with a "momma heating pad". They did fine.
Is there a way that you could point a fan at a distance and only at a portion of the brooder just to get air flowing? And maybe they could stay in that side if they decide they like the breeze?

 

[KenaiRiverRanch]

I have brooded in 90 degree weather before but in the coop with a "momma heating pad". They did fine.
Is there a way that you could point a fan at a distance and only at a portion of the brooder just to get air flowing? And maybe they could stay in that side if they decide they like the breeze?

Thank you!! I don’t know why, but I am so nervous about it. I am switching out the bulb to a lower wattage because I think the 250 is just too much, so that should help, too. I do have a ‘warm side’ and a cooler side that is about 5-10 degrees cooler, so I could point a small fan on that side to help with air flow, yes.
Is it advisable to move them to the coop during the day instead so they naturally get air flow?

 

[Yardfulla poopers]

In my experience, they will be fine with the setup you have. Adding a fan on low would probably be good as they should be feathered enough for some draft. I totally understand being nervous. I have 7 one week old chicks in the coop brooder right now and worry about them all day when I'm at work. Did I make it cat-proof, snake-proof, curious chick-proof? Will they survive the 31 degree nights and 80 degree days?With yours at 3weeks old, I think they will be fine. My best wishes for a good brooding.

 

[rosemarythyme]

If the coop is ready (and well ventilated) I'd just move them out.

 

[BlueBaby]

I'm here in AZ and I move mine out to the coop at 3 weeks old. I have adult's out there, so the chick's are placed in a large wire dog crate with some of the 1/2" cloth wire attached to it, going up all if the sides about 1 and 1/2'. Cut separate pieces for the doors. It helps to keep the chick's in, and the adult's from trying to grab them. You can place a board that can fit through the gap between the bars of the dogcrate so they can roost on it. Make sure that you keep food and water in there for them. When it gets hot, they will go through more water.

Oh, and I placed boards over the top of the dogcrate.