The Poultry Keeper

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

what about having the light on a thermostat thing so that if the room cooled down the heat light would come on, and in the day when it was warm it wouldn't be on, but it would still be ok for the chicks. Just me thinking out loud, don't know if you can do that kind of thing

NannyP · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 3:03 pm Post subject:

Not sure how, and I'm sure it's possible. Since we're going to be making the brooder with elastic bands, an empty bottle of washing up liquid and some sticky back plastic (aka Blue Peter Wink

) I guess a thermostastically controlled light will be out of our remit Laughing

It will give me something to consider though, and will mean I can have them right here!! Wink

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

maybe then you should put a thermometer in there before they come and see what sort of temperature if gets to and then work out if you can have them without the light in the day and with the light later on when it gets cooler. If it's going to be an angle poise you should be able to make it go higher and lower to regulate the temperature. Also the chicks are supposed to be university challenge candidates and move to the light if they're feeling a little cool or to the edges if they're feeling a little warm

jaydee67 · Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2005 6:09 pm Post subject:

We just use a plastic toy box and a desk lamp for a baby brooder here. When they get bigger we transfer them to a freebie wooden box that hubby gets from the garage with wire mesh over the top to stop escapes! Wire also handy for hanging light cord from.

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

NannyP, did you get your brooder box sorted out?

NannyP · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject:

It is currently under construction Laughing

I have the initial small box and found an old metal oven shelf which just fits nicely for a lid (3 cats remember Confused

). We are currently considering a suitable method for securing it whilst keeping it easy for me to open. I am going to buy a dull emiter bulb from Countrywide tomorrow and put it in an existing lamp.

We will then have to work out a plan for the bigger, deeper box for use in a week or two.

I will keep them initially in our bedroom during the day, as this room stays reasonably cool, and then during the evening, they can come in here with me, and be on the landing at night.
Later, as they get noisier and bigger, they can go in the lounge overnight and probably during the day Laughing

CP · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 2:43 pm Post subject:

Funnily enough, we use an old oven shelf for the top of our brooder, NannyP! It works well. Very Happy

debcat · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 3:27 pm Post subject:

NannyP · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 4:22 pm Post subject:

To be honest, I'd probably heard it from one of you, which was what gave me the idea, I knew there was one around somewhere, and would have taken one from the oven and cooked in the micrwave for a while if need be. We have secured it with a belt Confused

Have found an old lamp, with screw fixing which is what the bulb will have, and we can attach it to a phographic tripod which is height adjustable. Proper Heath Robinson affair Laughing

NannyP · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 5:43 pm Post subject:

This looks good and clever heating. Only problem I can see is the shavings so early on Confused

http://www.dailyegg.co.uk/dailyegg/2005/03/how-we-made-brooder.html

summayah · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 4289 Location: luton

that's an excellent idea ~ could you put the shaving in the box first, because they will sort of deflect the heat and then put kitchen towel on top or I suppose you could use a couple of tea towels and no shavings at all.
So now you just need to rush out and buy a box of biscuits....one drawback you will have to eat them all before the chicks arrive so that you can bake their brooder.

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:04 pm Post subject:

Looks interesting - but a light hung over the top is a lot easier and you can tell if the bulb blows!

NannyP · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 7:34 pm Post subject:

It's okay, I was just showing it to you all Laughing

And, I do have the biscuit tin, empty years ago, so no problem there. I won't be using that idea though Laughing

I will hang a lamp above the chicks. I wonder how long they will need to have the heat for if the weather gets warmer (it's drizzling all day and we've had fires on here !!!)? Confused

jaydee67 · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:10 pm Post subject:

Let them guide you with that. If they are too hot they will move away from the heat. Raise it gradually then start switching it off during the day and only have it on at night for a while. By 5-6 weeks they won't need it at all.

NannyP · Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2005 8:15 pm Post subject:

Okay, thanks. And I can move them into the warmer rooms during the day Cool

I'm too excited, I may have peaked too soon. I'll be fit for nothing by Tues/Wed. Confused