Tag: brooder

Chickens in the Cold

firstsnow2

Most new chicken keepers worry about their flock when the temperatures drop. The biggest concern is whether or not a heat source should be added.
If you have provided your flock with adequate shelter from the wind and rain or snow, and there’s plenty of hay or straw in their house, I don’t recommend adding a heat source.
The extra things you can do to help your chickens fair the bitter cold is to give them scratch feed before bed and first thing in the morning. This is a hot feed and will help them stay warm, not to mention they love it. If you are worried about frostbite, the best solution is to apply Vaseline to their combs and wattles.
Your chickens will huddle together to stay warm. For peace of mind, stick your hand down between them at night and you’ll be pleased to find they are toasty warm. Chickens are hardy creatures, so my best advice is to not overthink the questions involved in caring for them.
Remember, chickens in numbers are warm, and they acclimate rather quickly to temperature changes. If you have young birds that are just out of the brooder, a heat source is necessary until they are fully feathered, usually at about eight weeks of age. Just make sure they have been introduced to the cold and have been given time to acclimate.

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Upgrading the Brooder

I’ve had my share of make-shift brooders, and all the headaches that go with it. Anybody who has raised baby chicks knows all about cardboard boxes, plastic storage containers, dog crates, etc… as make-do brooders.  Flimsy chicken wire tops that shred your arms during cleaning, and an aching back from crawling around on the floor is another consequence of not having the right equipment.
I searched online for something suitable to build for raising baby chicks. My husband is willing to take the challenge, so this is what I found…

brooder plans

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Chicks and Brooders

What is a Brooder?

A brooder is a heated container that has a temperature-controlled area. It’s used to confine chicks until they are old enough to go outside.
You can make or buy one, other than a few mandatory basics, it’s up to you to research and find what setup works best for you. It’s always important to plan ahead and have the brooder completely prepared for new chicks before they arrive.
It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money on a brooder, what you can make functional with scrap material is always the most rewarding. You can view MANY brooder types HERE

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