Babies will be here any time now!!!!!!!!!!!

[chickenmomva]

My brooder box is ready I need to know about the temp. Do I keep the thermometer under the light or near the light or in the corner away from the light?????????? Not sure how to monitor temp. any advice?????????

 

[4H kids and mom]

The temp under the light at chick height should be 95 degrees to start with. The temp can lower slightly away from the light so they can choose the cool area or warm area. The cool area shouldn't be more than 5 or 10 (MAX) degrees cooler than the warm area when they are day olds.

Set your brooder up at least a day or two before they get there. Set up EVERYTHING even food and water so its not a rush to get it done when the PO calls you to pick them up. Turn the lamp on and set the thermometer on the bedding beneath it and let it be for about 15 minutes. Check the temp. Is it 95? Is it too cold? If too cold, lower the lamp, or buy a higher wattage bulb. Is it too hot? If too hot, raise the lamp, or buy a lower wattage bulb. Try to use a red heat lamp bulb if possible, to lower any instances of picking and cannibalism. (Chickens naturally pick at anything red, and the red light nutrilizes any red.)

When you have the temp under the light right, test the temp at the farthest point from the light. Is it in the 85-90 range? Thats perfect. Leave the light on the whole day before the chicks arrive so the brooder is nice and toasty when they get there. They might be cold from shipping, so the sooner you can get their body heat up, the better.

Is there anything else you need help with?

 

[chickenmomva]

I had it set up just like you said thank you so much then the PO called they were guaranteed tomorrow and they came today I am so excited they are so cute 6 girls and 1 boy golden buffs they are doing good eating and drinking