Solar Harvest Farm Steve & Michelle Heyer Richie, Sheri & Sarah 7432 Marsh Road, Waterford, WI 53185
Phone: 262-662-5278 · Email: solarharvestfarm@yahoo.com
Website: www.solarharvestfarm.com
Phone: 262-
Website: www.solarharvestfarm.com
Conventional Brooding
Chicks huddle under heat source provided by heat lamps or gas burners. Heat source typically constant as most heat escapes as rising hot air. Chicks run out from under heat for occasional bursts, otherwise congregate, often even piling up at warmest points. If food and water isn’t in warmest place, chicks are reluctant to eat. Some stay out too long, getting chilled. Prone to drafts, heat loss and almost transparent financial hemmorage.
Chicks huddle under heat source provided by heat lamps or gas burners. Heat source typically constant as most heat escapes as rising hot air. Chicks run out from under heat for occasional bursts, otherwise congregate, often even piling up at warmest points. If food and water isn’t in warmest place, chicks are reluctant to eat. Some stay out too long, getting chilled. Prone to drafts, heat loss and almost transparent financial hemmorage.
Follow the Hot Air Brooding - Stage 1
It costs good money to keep 95 degree heat on a chick. By virtue of thermodynamics, that expensive heat immediately floats as high as it can effectively creating a perpetual need for more heat. Rather than fight the laws of thermodynamics, why not just move the chicks up to where the hot air hangs out?
The light weight of chicks makes it easy to mount a sheet of plywood up near the ceiling. The air in the brooder will stratify as shown. For the first three days, 100% of the chicks will be happy with this heat. Typically starting with the fourth day, the early bloomers will want less heat and more space.
It costs good money to keep 95 degree heat on a chick. By virtue of thermodynamics, that expensive heat immediately floats as high as it can effectively creating a perpetual need for more heat. Rather than fight the laws of thermodynamics, why not just move the chicks up to where the hot air hangs out?
The light weight of chicks makes it easy to mount a sheet of plywood up near the ceiling. The air in the brooder will stratify as shown. For the first three days, 100% of the chicks will be happy with this heat. Typically starting with the fourth day, the early bloomers will want less heat and more space.
Follow the Hot Air Brooding - Stage 2
The need for more space increases with the size of the chicks. The early bloomers will also show signs of desiring less heat. Rather than defaulting to a one temperature fits all approach, move the biggest chicks down a level. In addition to providing more space, this also allows the smaller, slower growing chicks to remain in their preferred warmer environment at the top level where they can play a little catch-up.
The need for more space increases with the size of the chicks. The early bloomers will also show signs of desiring less heat. Rather than defaulting to a one temperature fits all approach, move the biggest chicks down a level. In addition to providing more space, this also allows the smaller, slower growing chicks to remain in their preferred warmer environment at the top level where they can play a little catch-
Follow the Hot Air Brooding - Stage 3
Repeating the same process at level 2, move the biggest and most rambunctious chicks down to floor level where they can blow off steam without literally running over the top of their smaller, slower growing flock mates. At this stage, it should be visually and vocally apparent that the strongest chicks are down low whereas the slow-pokes are up top.
Note that in a well insulated brooder, after day three, intrinsic heat, (body heat) is all that is needed to maintain comfort at all levels. This won’t work at hobby levels, but where lots of chicks are brooded at one time, it can be a wonderful energy saver - and better for the chicks too!
Repeating the same process at level 2, move the biggest and most rambunctious chicks down to floor level where they can blow off steam without literally running over the top of their smaller, slower growing flock mates. At this stage, it should be visually and vocally apparent that the strongest chicks are down low whereas the slow-
Note that in a well insulated brooder, after day three, intrinsic heat, (body heat) is all that is needed to maintain comfort at all levels. This won’t work at hobby levels, but where lots of chicks are brooded at one time, it can be a wonderful energy saver -
Low to No Energy Chick Brooding