Humidity in Brooder

[rosemarythyme]

What about something this? It would have alot more ventilation and still have a cozy place to cuddle at night?

This would work as a run for up to 20 or a coop/run combo for around 14 birds (though you'd need to beef up the wire for security, assuming that's chicken wire). The coop could either be built into it as a section (so roosts and nests in a climate protected area) or added separately. Though the way it's set up in the sample image, that sad tiny coop would never work, it's an Easy Bake oven for chickens.

I have not thought about poop. Any ideas?

I'd hit up your state thread for advice on how to manage poop and litter, as "the best" answer varies wildly by climate, and my climate is nothing like yours.

 

[Jennifer27fl]

This would work as a run for up to 20 or a coop/run combo for around 14 birds (though you'd need to beef up the wire for security, assuming that's chicken wire). The coop could either be built into it as a section (so roosts and nests in a climate protected area) or added separately. Though the way it's set up in the sample image, that sad tiny coop would never work, it's an Easy Bake oven for chickens.

I'd hit up your state thread for advice on how to manage poop and litter, as "the best" answer varies wildly by climate, and my climate is nothing like yours.

 

[Jennifer27fl]

I only have 3 chickens so I could have my husband build a coop to but inside the fenced enclosure and maybe some hardclothe wire on the outside. I will try to find a florida thread. Thank you for your advice

 

[rosemarythyme]

I only have 3 chickens so I could have my husband build a coop to but inside the fenced enclosure and maybe some hardclothe wire on the outside. I will try to find a florida thread. Thank you for your advice

In that case then a fenced enclosure like that, reinforced with hardware cloth, with a climate protected area for roosting and nesting should work very well for 3 birds. You could even expand with a few more birds in the future with that space.

Hopefully your fellow Floridians can advise you as far as litter and any other tips or tricks to deal with setting up for a hot and humid climate!

 

[StinkyAcres]

I agree with @rosemarythyme, in your climate you don't need a fully enclosed coop. A few walls to create shelter from the weather on one side of the run should be all that is needed. BUT you will need to predator-proof the entire run to keep them safe at night.

 

[Jennifer27fl]

Thank you I will be buying a bigger container today and cut a big hole in most of the lid. I will also slowly decrease thier heat this week. I be looking for a well ventilated chicken coop and run and will put extra protection with hardware cloth. I truly thank everyone for thier advice.

 

[ChaosMom]

I only have 3 chickens so I could have my husband build a coop to but inside the fenced enclosure and maybe some hardclothe wire on the outside. I will try to find a florida thread. Thank you for your advice

I'm guessing this is the Florida thread rosemarythyme mentioned: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/florida-always-sunny-side-up.305793/

 

[rosemarythyme]

I'm guessing this is the Florida thread rosemarythyme mentioned: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/florida-always-sunny-side-up.305793/

Oh, yes... I even had the link copied and then completely forgot to actually post it!

 

[linguini]

Thank you I will be buying a bigger container today and cut a big hole in most of the lid. I will also slowly decrease thier heat this week. I be looking for a well ventilated chicken coop and run and will put extra protection with hardware cloth. I truly thank everyone for thier advice.

When we started our baby chicks, We simply use VERY large card board boxes as the brood boxes and covered the top with hardware cloth. As they grew bigger, We connected several cardboard boxes (draw a square on the sides of two boxes, about 2-3 inches from the bottom -make sure the sqaures match. Cut top/down edges of one box, and left/right edges of another box, you can then form a tunnel between two boxes) for them to run around. The top is only covered with hardware cloth - they need the ventilation, and we can see them). After they migrated to the real coop, we simply threw out the boxes! No need to buy plastic crate (big ones are expensive).

 

[Jennifer27fl]

When we started our baby chicks, We simply use VERY large card board boxes as the brood boxes and covered the top with hardware cloth. As they grew bigger, We connected several cardboard boxes (draw a square on the sides of two boxes, about 2-3 inches from the bottom -make sure the sqaures match. Cut top/down edges of one box, and left/right edges of another box, you can then form a tunnel between two boxes) for them to run around. The top is only covered with hardware cloth - they need the ventilation, and we can see them). After they migrated to the real coop, we simply threw out the boxes! No need to buy plastic crate (big ones are expensive).

When we started our baby chicks, We simply use VERY large card board boxes as the brood boxes and covered the top with hardware cloth. As they grew bigger, We connected several cardboard boxes (draw a square on the sides of two boxes, about 2-3 inches from the bottom -make sure the sqaures match. Cut top/down edges of one box, and left/right edges of another box, you can then form a tunnel between two boxes) for them to run around. The top is only covered with hardware cloth - they need the ventilation, and we can see them). After they migrated to the real coop, we simply threw out the boxes! No need to buy plastic crate (big ones are expensive).

I have been buying bigger containers as they need it which yes does get expensive only thing is I have 2 different thermometers and I am finding it veey difficult to keep a consistent temp for them any suggestions? They are 4 weeks tomorrow. I am also looking for a coop to put them in at night and a gated chicken run that they can run free in the daytime if you have any suggestions