Raising baby chicks comes with a big responsibility—keeping them warm, safe, and happy. While heat lamps are a common choice, they’re not the only option. Enter the Ohio brooder, also known as a hover brooder—a setup that’s been keeping chicks cozy for generations.
Designed to hold warmth close to the ground and protect chicks from drafts, this brooder is especially useful for chilly weather or unheated spaces like barns and garages. But is it the right choice for you? Let’s break it down!
What Exactly Is an Ohio (Hover) Brooder?
Think of the Ohio brooder as a miniature heated shelter for chicks. It’s a low-hanging, open-bottomed wooden box with a heat source inside, allowing chicks to move in and out freely as they regulate their body temperature.
🔹 Structure: A sturdy wooden box, open at the bottom and raised slightly off the ground.
🔹 Heat Source: Typically low-wattage bulbs or ceramic heating elements mounted inside the top.
🔹 Function: Chicks self-regulate their warmth by stepping in when they’re chilly and wandering out when they’ve had enough.
It’s called a hover brooder because it “hovers” just above the bedding, trapping warm air underneath while still allowing ventilation.
Why Use an Ohio Brooder?
The Ohio brooder was originally designed to make brooding chicks in colder temperatures easier and more energy-efficient. Here’s why some chicken keepers prefer it:
✅ Designed for Cold-Weather Brooding – Holds heat close to the ground, keeping chicks warm even in drafty spaces.
✅ Chicks Stay in Control – They can move closer or farther from the heat as needed, mimicking the behavior of huddling under a hen.
✅ Energy Efficient – Uses lower-wattage bulbs, helping to reduce electricity use compared to a heat lamp.
✅ Fire Risk? Much Lower – Since the heat source is enclosed, it’s less likely to cause fires compared to an exposed heat lamp.
One major advantage is customization—you can build an Ohio brooder to fit any flock size, from just a few chicks to a larger group.
How Does It Compare to Other Brooding Methods?
Each brooding method has its own advantages, and the right choice depends on your setup and climate:
| Feature | Ohio (Hover) Brooder | Heat Lamp | Commercial Heat Plate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Risk | 🔥 Low | 🚨 Higher | 🔥 Low |
| Energy Use | 💡 Lower wattage | ⚡ Higher wattage | 💡 Low |
| Chick Behavior | 🐥 Self-regulated warmth | ❌ May overheat or chill chicks | ✅ Mimics a mother hen |
| Best For | ✅ Cold-weather brooding | ✅ Simple setups | ✅ Indoor brooding, small flocks |
Unlike commercial brooder plates, which are great for small indoor setups, the Ohio brooder is often chosen for outdoor or unheated spaces where keeping heat contained is a challenge.
Why It’s Ideal for Cold-Weather Brooding
If you’re brooding chicks in cooler temperatures, an Ohio brooder can help keep them warm without overheating or drafts.
✔ Designed to trap heat close to the ground, making it more effective in barns, garages, and coops.
✔ Chicks stay warm naturally by moving in and out instead of huddling under a single heat source.
✔ Can be customized to fit different flock sizes—whether you’re raising a handful of chicks or more.
For very cold conditions, some chicken keepers add straw bales or insulation around the brooder to help retain heat even better.
Final Thoughts
The Ohio brooder (hover brooder) is a time-tested option for keeping chicks warm, especially when temperatures drop. It provides steady, controlled warmth while letting chicks self-regulate their temperature, making it a useful choice for unheated spaces.
That said, every brooding setup has its place. Some chicken keepers swear by heat lamps for their simplicity, while others prefer heat plates for small, indoor setups.
