Outdoor chick brooder-Ideas?

[Lemon-Drop]

Hi! I want to either build or re-use something for a chick brooder, outdoors.

A little background:
I've set and am hatching 16 eggs in my NR360. They are silkies and silkie mixes from my flock.

I live in Western Washington, so it's usually pretty rainy and often cold. In the past I've done a brooder indoors, but I've heard good things about doing brooding outdoors.

If possible, I have 2 broodies right now, that *might* accept the chicks that hatch, but I want to have a backup option, too.


Requirements for brooder:

Rain-proof
Predator proof
Large enough for 16 chicks to grow until about 4 weeks old.

I could possibly wall off a section of my coop-but it's not huge. (8 by 6', I'm not keeping any of the chicks-I have people who will take them, but they want them after they're feathered)

I also have a tractor, which would fit them all, though I would need to modify it. (to cover it fully and make it more predator proof)



I am able (and plan) to keep the chicks inside for a day or two (just to keep a close eye) I'm just interested in trying this outdoor idea.

Also, what heat sources are best to use? I can run a cord down there-is a heat lamp (which I do have on hand) a brooder plate, or something else better if mama won't accept/be able to keep them all warm?


Thanks so much for any replies!


So far I'm thinking my best bet might be to modify the tractor, but I'm not sure yet.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Pictures of the tractor might be helpful! Whoops!
(The sign says chicken infirmary because our hen Jasmine stayed in here when she was sick.)

Sorry, I don't currently have any better pictures. We've mostly used it for integrating older chicks/giving chicks some outdoor supervised playtime. It's only about 1/3 of the way covered.

Maybe I could put it on a foundation of bricks, add shavings, and cover the top with a tarp?

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Pictures of the tractor might be helpful! Whoops!
(The sign says chicken infirmary because our hen Jasmine stayed in here when she was sick.)
View attachment 3040031
View attachment 3040032View attachment 3040033
Sorry, I don't currently have any better pictures. We've mostly used it for integrating older chicks/giving chicks some outdoor supervised playtime. It's only about 1/3 of the way covered.

Maybe I could put it on a foundation of bricks, add shavings, and cover the top with a tarp?

(I would probably put it into the chickens run, since there's a fairly solid fence, and that way it'd be even more predator proof)

 

[BlindLemonChicken]

I have brooded chicks outdoors in January on my back porch. Which solved the weather problem. I used an old wire dog kennel with a cardboard box inside. When they were big enough I removed the box. It wasn't predator proof but I put it up on an old picnic table so it was right under my bedroom window and ran a heat lamp out the window. Between my dogs and car nothing comes on my back porch so it worked fine.

 

[rosemarythyme]

The tractor is a possibility if you put it in the run for better safety.

This is my outdoor brooder, which is similar in style to a rabbit hutch (so you could use plans for a hutch to replicate it). You might need something bigger than this depending on how many chicks hatch. I use a mama heating pad and build up the litter underneath for optimal drainage, so that's how I deal with rainstorms. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

 

[Aunt Angus]

I used to have the area under my poop boards for brooding or isolation. I plan to add a rabbit hutch (once again, like @rosemarythyme) to my next coop.

I agree with the other posters. That's a great a-frame! Put it inside the run, and I think you're golden!

 

[3KillerBs]

Mine is oversized so that I use cardboard to block part of it off for a while.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/run-to-outdoor-brooder-conversion.76634/

You could also work with something like this: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/mini-coop-or-integration-pen-from-a-large-dog-crate.76593/

 

[jreardon1918]

We just got the HW cloth back on our in-run brooder. This brooder is about 2'x4'. The picture shows three white boards. Those will be be adjusted at the 4 week mark to allow the chicks to enter the run as they wish. A piece of plywood goes on top to keep the big girls out and the little ones in. We expect chicks this week. And it will be be a bit cold. The plastic run wrap is still in place. The first week we will probably set the MHP to high. Here is an article on the brooder build from a 2020. https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/brooder-in-covered-run-updated-7-11-six-weeks.75584/

 

[Lemon-Drop]

Thanks everyone! I'm planning to put bricks along the edges, if needed (otherwise I moved it to where it's pretty flat, in the run, where it's covered.)

I'll plan to add plenty of bedding, a chick feeder and waterer, and Pebbles and Mochi (who are broody) if they agree to this plan to be live heaters. (Otherwise I'll figure something else out)

My main concern is that the run is at the bottom of the hill, and gets very muddy. I'll try to make a small ditch to divert water though.

 

[Alarry31]

Pictures of the tractor might be helpful! Whoops!
(The sign says chicken infirmary because our hen Jasmine stayed in here when she was sick.)
View attachment 3040031
View attachment 3040032View attachment 3040033
Sorry, I don't currently have any better pictures. We've mostly used it for integrating older chicks/giving chicks some outdoor supervised playtime. It's only about 1/3 of the way covered.

Maybe I could put it on a foundation of bricks, add shavings, and cover the top with a tarp?

Did the chicks go out there right away I got week old chicks outside I’m co the playing putting in the tractor in a kiddie pool