Looking for brooder inspo for 23 chicks

[abmurry914]

Hello! We had chickens a few years ago, and when we had to move we were unable to move our custom coop with us since it was cemented in to the ground. We rehomed our ladies to a family friend and they're all happy and healthy still.

We've finally finished up most of the renovations on the house and we're about to start on our new coop! I've placed an order from Mt Healthy Hatchery out of Cincinnati, for a hatch date of 6/4 and I'm looking for some brooder ideas for 22 Hens, and 1 Roo!

There is also so much back and forth over brooder plate vs. heat lamps and I'm just wanting personal opinions from you guys. Last time we used a heat lamp but wasn't sure what would be more effective for more birds. Last time we only raised 12 indoors, and the heat lamp worked just fine.

Located in north central WV, so June/July while they're in their brooder temps will range from mid to low 80s during the day and mid to low 60s at night.

Any help/advice is much appreciated, we're so excited to start our journey over in our forever home.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Will you brood indoors or outside this time? I personally don't like a heat lamp indoors as it can heat up the house and unless the brooder is fairly large you can easily overheat them. Most people that brood indoors don't have large brooders. I personally prefer the heat lamp outside. I think it is better to handle the temperature swings you can get out there as long as you have a large enough brooder. This is mostly personal preference but you asked for opinions. In those temperatures either should work fine. You don't have to worry about freezing temperatures.

My concern with the heat plate is how big is it. Can it handle 23 chicks until they feather out enough to handle the weather? They are going to grow pretty fast. Your heat lamp might do a better job than the heat plate with that many.

23 chicks is a lot more than 12. Will your brooder be big enough as they grow?

 

[abmurry914]

Will you brood indoors or outside this time? I personally don't like a heat lamp indoors as it can heat up the house and unless the brooder is fairly large you can easily overheat them. Most people that brood indoors don't have large brooders. I personally prefer the heat lamp outside. I think it is better to handle the temperature swings you can get out there as long as you have a large enough brooder. This is mostly personal preference but you asked for opinions. In those temperatures either should work fine. You don't have to worry about freezing temperatures.

My concern with the heat plate is how big is it. Can it handle 23 chicks until they feather out enough to handle the weather? They are going to grow pretty fast. Your heat lamp might do a better job than the heat plate with that many.

23 chicks is a lot more than 12. Will your brooder be big enough as they grow?

We're doing a 6x6 brooder in our garage, garage isn't temp controlled so will be the same temp as outdoors. I'm leaning more towards a lamp due to the size of the flock and brooder, I've just seen a lot of back and forth between both! Last time we raised indoors and it was still cold outside so doing it in the summer for the first time I just want to make sure we're doing the best and giving them the best chance at a happy, healthy life.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Sounds perfect to me. My outdoor brooder is only 3' x 6' so you should have lots of room, both for them to grow and for them to be able to get away from the heat. You may want to have a smaller wattage bulb than the 250. Those can get really hot. In winter I use a 250 but in summer I use a 120 or even a 75.

 

[abmurry914]

Sounds perfect to me. My outdoor brooder is only 3' x 6' so you should have lots of room, both for them to grow and for them to be able to get away from the heat. You may want to have a smaller wattage bulb than the 250. Those can get really hot. In winter I use a 250 but in summer I use a 120 or even a 75.

That's a great idea, thank you!