Why We Use a Welcoming Coop Instead of a Garage Brooder

[Windwalker79]

The Welcoming Coop: Our Alternative to the Garage Brooder​

At Mother Flucker Farms, we do things a little differently when it comes to raising new chicks and integrating them into the flock. Instead of the usual brooding box in the garage, we raise new additions in what we call the Welcoming Coop — and it’s been a total game-changer.

What’s the Welcoming Coop?​

It’s a warm, secure mini-coop set up right in the main flock’s range, specifically for chicks that are ready to be outside but not quite ready to face the full flock on their own.

Here’s how it works:

• New chicks or ducks are placed in the Welcoming Coop, where they stay warm and safe.
• We add a couple of gentle, 6-week-old birds from the main flock to serve as orientation buddies.
• This creates a calm, social environment where the new birds learn routines, sounds, and social cues — right from the flock itself.

Free-Range By Day, Safe By Night​

• During the day, the new birds get to free-range with the entire flock, building confidence and learning flock dynamics naturally.
• At night, they return to the Welcoming Coop with their buddy birds to rest and stay warm.

This setup keeps things low-stress for everyone — and eliminates the awkward transition from a brooder in the garage to the outdoor flock.

Why We Prefer This Over Garage Brooding:​

• No artificial separation from the sounds and smells of the flock
• Natural transition to outdoor life
• No dust storm in the house or garage
• Birds become stronger, smarter, and more socially adjusted

We’ve found this approach makes our birds healthier and happier — and it keeps us more connected to the flock every step of the way.

Do you use an outdoor brooding setup or something similar? Would love to hear what’s working for others!

Tom - Chief Mother Flucker & Director of Farm Operations
Mother Flucker Farms
(Where every chick gets a wing up in life )

 

[DobieLover]

This is being done by lots of seasoned members here.

I have a 2.5'x6' built-in brooder in my coop, under the nest boxes.

It has its own 4'x8' covered run.

And integration doors that can be opened when they are ready to start exploring the coop.

The brooder is primarily used as a maternity ward now.

 

[Shadrach]

Been doing it for years.

 

[Cindy in PA]

My area in the coop is not as elaborate as the ones above, but I've been raising in the coop for 5 years. My chicks that were hatched 4/1 have survived our 38-degree days & 26-degree nights this week with their brooder plate. This is the coldest period I have had to raise chicks in so far.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

I do this as well only my coop is a barn with a row of stalls that each serve as different dividers if need be or can be opened up to combine space. My chicks are out there from day 1 and when they are off of heat they are already fully socialized with the rest. It’s seamless integration when they get moved to the big stall with the older chickens.

 

[dearmeghann]

We want to do this with our smaller coop! We just moved the ladies into the new (bigger) coop and figured we could still put the smaller coop to good use. Or let the cats turn it into a catio once the newbies are grown.

What does the inside layout look like? I'm trying to decide on a heating source.

 

[GoslingRanch]

We have a coop split into three sections. This allows us to take the chicks outside at 3 weeks and let them hear and see the adult hens. There are so many other reasons to have three separate sections in our coop. I'm so glad I built it that way.

 

[ChookaPete]

This is a good idea and setup!


Because a stray cat has been hanging around and eluded the cat trap, I have had to isolate my two baby chicks and their mother inside a tent, on my back patio. I only want to keep them in there for a a maximum of four weeks.

They have boxes full of chick starter crumbles, shallow trays of water, lots of straw, logs and bricks to play on, and a wading pool filled with dirt for sun bathing. I have not put the flysheet over the tent - that way they get plenty of ventilation and some sunshine, and can hear the other chooks outside of the tent.

Occasionally I open the tent so they can see the flock and vice versa: