A bit of help please?

[Chickiegirls2]

Ok, here's what we have been dealing with. How hot should the temp be directly under the light in the brooder... mine's 100 directly under the light and 90 towards the sides... is that ok??? My chicks are coming tomorrow or Wed, so I need an answer pretty soon! Thanks all!!!!

 

[chicmom]

I think 100 is just a little bit too hot. I would raise it just a tad, so that your thermometer reads around 90 just below.

 

[jerseygirl1]

Yes, little bit too hot - you can tell when it's too hot, the chickies will kind of stay to the side of the lamp, insted of under it

 

[Pairie Faring]

I agree , 90 is a good starting point. you will know if they are comfortable by whether they all crowd under the light or go to the sides to get away from the heat. If they all go under the light and cheep pretty loudly they are too cold.

 

[Chickiegirls2]

Ok, but should it be 90 directly under the light and cooler on the side?

 

[donrae]

Your brooder should be large enough they can get completely out from under the light into an area of roomish temp. Under the light should be around 90-95. I don't check the temp, I just go on the chicks behavior. Overheating is just as much a danger to them as being too cold.

 

[ADozenGirlz]

Quote:
I like it to be 90 for the first 5-7 days. It will naturally be cooler away from the light, so as long as your brooder is spacious enough for them to get to a cooler spot if they're too warm, they will be able to regulate to their own comfort levels. Concern yourself with heat lamp safety as the #1 priority b/c they can't help out with that.

You will always know if it is not warm enough in there as they will all be huddled up in a pile right under the heat lamp.

Enjoy your new babies, it's such an enjoyable hobby!

 

[SunnyCalifornia]

Quote:
I like it to be 90 for the first 5-7 days. It will naturally be cooler away from the light, so as long as your brooder is spacious enough for them to get to a cooler spot if they're too warm, they will be able to regulate to their own comfort levels. Concern yourself with heat lamp safety as the #1 priority b/c they can't help out with that.

You will always know if it is not warm enough in there as they will all be huddled up in a pile right under the heat lamp.

Enjoy your new babies, it's such an enjoyable hobby!

Ditto above post..

I usually use a long rectangular box, and put the heat on one side, and the food and water on the other side. It makes them venture out a bit, and allows them to experience the different heat zones of the brooder, so they can choose their comfort zone. When they quit piling up on each other for warmth, then raise the lamp a bit.

 

[Celtic Chick]

Good info for first-time chick owners:
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-care/chapter-4-caring-for-baby-chicks.aspx
http://www.tractorsupply.com/content/knowhow/chicks/livestock_care_caring_for_new_chicks
http://www.tractorsupply.com/conten.../livestock_care_raising_poultry_expert_advice
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chickcare.html
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/faqtop.html
http://www.mthealthy.com/page/1033240
Depending on how old the chicks are decides how warm it should be directly under the heat lamp. At hatch to 1 week old, your temp. should be around 95 degrees. You should lower the heat by 5 degrees every week after that: at 2 weeks it should be 90 degrees, 3 weeks=85, etc.
You should observe their behavior for quite a while after putting them into the brooder. They will tell you if they are too hot or too cold. Huddling together directly under the lamp means they are cold. Running to the edges of the brooder & staying away from each other means they are too hot. Exploring & walking all over the brooder & acting normal (eating & drinking) means the temperature is just fine.
I have a rectangular brooder & I keep the light off to one side, not centered directly in the middle, so there is a bigger gap on one side of the brooder for the chicks to get away from the light if they are too warm.