5 day old Chicks dont like 95 degrees

[chicknerd]

HI

This is my first time with receiving day old chicks from a hatchery. They are now 5 days old. I have a thermometer at their level in the brooder. When the brooder light give the thermometer a reading of 95 they all go away from the light and sit in a corner. It is a red light I got at the feed store specifically for the brooder. I am sure of the temperature.

1. Can I drop it down to 90 or 85 yet? I assume yes, but I want to make sure I dont bring it down too much.

2. How long do they need the light all day long?

thanks

 

[Tomhusker]

If they are avoiding the light, I would lower the temp by 5 degrees to see how they react. If they still avoid it, go another 5 degrees. I kept my brooder light on until the chicks were 4 weeks old. I only used a 60 watt bulb tho, no heat bulb as it would get too hot.

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

As long as they can get away from the light, they'll find their comfort zone. It sounds like you could move the light away a bit. They'll let you know if they're chilly.

They'll need heat around the clock until they're fully feathered (4-5 weeks). In the summer I move the brooder outside, and if it's warm enough, I turn the heat off, and then back on if it gets a little chilly.

 

[chicknerd]

Thanks I have moved the lamp up a bit and will check the temp in a few hours.

There was so much talk about the temp HAVING to be 95 and I didn't want to stress them. But now I see it is keeping them at a comfortable temperature rather than an actual specific number that is important.

 

[BeardedLadyFarm]

I've raised hundreds of chicks by now, and have never used a thermometer. Just look at their body language and you will know if they're too hot, or too cold, or just right.

 

[CammieSilkie]

Hey, I never EVER go by the rules of how hot the chicks specifically need to be. I dont even use a thermometer

my rule is: if all the chicks are crowded together trying to keep warm directly under the lamp, they're cold and you should turn up the heat! but if they are all spread out and as far away from the lamp as you can, they're too hot. keep monitoring and changing the temps as their reactions change. They should be happily exploring all over the brooder, under AND away from the lamp. and oh, when you adjust the temp, wait like.. 10-15 mins. for a reaction from the chicks

Why play by the rules? go for what the chicks want, not what the book says

 

[33yardbirds]

I never use a thermometer either. I did check the temp on the outer part of the brooder and it read 95, directly under the bulb it read 130, then I let the chicks show me what they like. I use infra red and start about 24" above the floor. I duct tape the lamp cord to a 6' dog chain with 1" links and hang from a hook in the cieling and move up or down until the chicks disperse evenly. then raise 4 to 6"s a week for about 6 to 7wks. I only brood in March, so far I haven't lost any chiks with this method. But like I say I have no experience with hot weather brooding.

 

[chicknerd]

Thanks one and all! I was wondering how people did it before thermometers. You have made a nervous chick mom un-nervous!

 

[pkw]

I don't know what the weather is like in your part of the country but here in California it is hot where I live. My youngest chicks is 3 weeks old and they only had a 60 watt black light for the first week then after that they didn't have a heating lamp because the nights here are warm and I didn't lose a chick at all.

 

[OliviaDeHav]

Quote:
I found this too. I was trying SO hard to keep it at 95 degrees and the poor things were miserable! Mine actually did well at around 88 to begin with. I think other said drop by 5... raise the light up. be aware of the room temp also. Is it a "box" or open cage type? That also makes a difference. MIne is so deep that they don't get ANY draft and seem to do better with less heat. Mine are going on 4 weeks now and i only have the light on them at night and slanted away so they get some warmth, not any direct heat. Later this week we are taking the lamps away altogether to get them ready for the coop in a week and a half.