off grid brooder

[ajs82]

Hi, I want to rear some chicks on my allotment with no electric, could I use a paraffin greenhouse heater in a brooder box? I have seen old paraffin brooders that are similar.

 

[Marigold]

Could you research a small solar panel? My daughter uses one to power the battery for electricity to fence in her horses. This might be cleaner than paraffin, where the main danger, I suppose, would be poisonous fumes.
However, there is a book 'Artificial Incubating and Brooding' which was originally published pre-1923 in America, which is now available as a paperback reprint, which gives details of how to incubate and raise chicks using paraffin brooders. I have a spare copy you are welcome to have, if you'd like to PM me with your name and address.

 

[ajs82]

Thanks will look into solar, PM my address thanks for your generosity.

 

[darkbrowneggs]

You could use a cold brooder, but I think it might be best to wait till later in the year when the temperature has warmed up and in any case they will need shelter from any wind and rain

http://forum.backyardpoultry.com/viewtopic.php?t=7955683

 

[chrismahon]

I like that idea DBE. We have plans to do some hatching this year and that cold brooder arrangement might be just the job here because it is plenty warm enough in the day but gets cold at night.

 

[darkbrowneggs]

I have used them, but the chicks need to be used to going back to them, in nature the hen would call them back to her, so you really need to use them from day one, but as I say in a sheltered environment to start off with before moving them outdoors later on

 

[ajs82]

What a fantastic idea may give it a go