Using Kerosene Heater in Garage

[ponytammy]

I have a large 24×28 garage attached to my home that I typically heat with a modern Kerosene heater as the garage door faces the north.

I just got my chicks (23 chicks) and they are in a 300 gallon poly tank with a 250w Premier One brooder lamp.

The wind is howling ftom the North and I have the Kerosene heater on so the garage is 75 degrees, without it, it will drop 55 to 60 degrees.

My question is will the Kerosene heater harm the chicks? The garage is not air tight. The brooder lamp is 105 degrees directly under the lamp and 95 degrees on the edge. I'm worried without the heat the chicks will get cold trying feed or drink. I've never had chicks in February before, but this was the only date available for shipment.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

If there's plenty of ventilation then I'd not worry too much about the heater.

However 55-60F is not that cold for chicks on the cool side of a brooder. You are supplying that one warm spot with a lamp. Broody hens take their chicks out in all kinds of weather to scratch, hunt, peck and explore, those chicks run around just fine, then when they get chilly, they huddle and cuddle up under Mama.

Best gauge to judge the temperature and what chicks need is to observe their behavior.

I've had chicks outside when nights were in the 20s with only a heating pad cave for heat, they were protected from wind/elements. Food/water was located away from the cave. They came out to eat/drink/play just fine in those temps, when they needed a warm up, they went back under their Mama heating pad to snooze and get toasty.

 

[SandyRiverChick]

My opinion is also that it's not really necessary. Growing up in Alaska my Dad would break out the big Kerosene heater for our barn when it was -30 degrees. If I could be guaranteed ambient temps of 55-60 with my chicks right now, I'd be really happy. I go to extra efforts when *20. You shouldn't have any problems getting a nice temp under the heat lamp.

 

[jreardon1918]

I have a large 24×28 garage attached to my home that I typically heat with a modern Kerosene heater as the garage door faces the north.

I just got my chicks (23 chicks) and they are in a 300 gallon poly tank with a 250w Premier One brooder lamp.

The wind is howling ftom the North and I have the Kerosene heater on so the garage is 75 degrees, without it, it will drop 55 to 60 degrees.

My question is will the Kerosene heater harm the chicks? The garage is not air tight. The brooder lamp is 105 degrees directly under the lamp and 95 degrees on the edge. I'm worried without the heat the chicks will get cold trying feed or drink. I've never had chicks in February before, but this was the only date available for shipment.

95F-105F sounds kind of hot to me. Whether you use a heat lamp, heat plate or MHP the temps really do not need to be that high. I'll bet skipping the kerosene heater will work out fine, and save a few bucks. YMMV.