Brooder Shed is Ready to Go
Here’s a few pics of my set-up where the chicks will live for the next 5 to 7 weeks. Depending on their growth, the weather, and most important, when they are mostly feathered. Usually they are feathered for sure by 8 weeks, but usually the temperatures in Phoenix allow us to move them from the brooder to coop earlier. What kind of chicks? Guess you’ll have to wait and see!
The Brooder Set-up
My husband built this custom brooder complete with electric and self closing doors on top. The floor in the brooder is lined with textured linoleum tiles and the windows are plexiglass. There’s plenty of storage cabinets below for all those chick rearing necessities.
I use radiant heat, but have two 50 watt back-up heat lamps overhead just in case of a sudden drop in outside temp. I also have a temperature reading from the brooder to house, so I don’t have to wonder if they are too cold or hot.
The Brooder Shed below is 8×10, heavily insulated, then drywall, and I had the gruesome chore of painting the inside pale yellow, ( I hate painting.) There is power, but no plumbing. Fortunately the hose is only steps away.
I’ll be picking up the chicks across town, I found this handy cage at Goodwill for $1.99, can’t beat that! It will comfortably hold at least 18 chicks. They like to be transported tightly packed together, it helps keep them warm and feeling safe.
TBN Ranch Chicken Keeping Resources 