Baby chicks don't like being in heat?

[Dsotto]

I am raising day olds for the first time! I've done tons of research and this forum has been so helpful in helping me out! I set myself up for success weeks before even getting them!

So I live in Texas and they were shipped April 29 to arrive May 1 making them 5 days old. I have built a wooden 9 sq ft brooder for three EE chicks in our guest room. Half of it is at 95 degrees(98ish directly under center of lamp but it's in a two square inch area and I can't avoid it with how my lamp is placed) and the other side of the brooder goes down to 75. The medicated food and acv water is in the middle of the gradient.
Since day one the three of them don't really hang out much under the lamp and sprawl all over the brooder. (Comfy sleeping baby chicks scared the beejezus out of me!!!) They are so weird and goofy. I just sit forever watching them interact.

Most of the down is off their wings and their cute little tailfeathers have sprouted and they flap all over the place. A book I have said that's typical of week-week and a half. They really enjoy their time in sub 80 degrees. Do you think it's possible they could be a bit older? Everywhere says first week 90-95 or they will die. I have a WiFi thermometer in there and it alerts me if the temperature goes out of range (I also stole my husband's meat thermometer as a backup) so I panic and run in and fix it. (Everything about chicks kicking the bucket has made me so SO paranoid that I'm obsessive over everything. I just want them to have awesome little lives!)

I can grab some photos tomorrow, but in the meantime, here's their cute little intro portraits the day they came home!

Cinnamon, Toast, and Crunch! And their coop (we are currently building) is called The Cereal Box.

 

[CatsandCrops]

We found that our "2 day old chicks" were actually more like 7-10 days old when we got them. They also hated being in 85+ degree heat from the second we got them so we raised the lamp pretty quickly and had them off of heat by week 3 (ambient temp is like 60-65 in our basement). I would say as long as they are eating, drinking and pooping just fine, you're doing things right!

I totally agree with being a paranoid chick mom. I was constantly checking on them and couldn't sleep the first night they were out in the coop. There were a few times I poked a chick or two fearing the worst, just to get a mean little peep because I disturbed their weird slumber lol

 

[Dsotto]

We found that our "2 day old chicks" were actually more like 7-10 days old when we got them. They also hated being in 85+ degree heat from the second we got them so we raised the lamp pretty quickly and had them off of heat by week 3 (ambient temp is like 60-65 in our basement). I would say as long as they are eating, drinking and pooping just fine, you're doing things right!

I totally agree with being a paranoid chick mom. I was constantly checking on them and couldn't sleep the first night they were out in the coop. There were a few times I poked a chick or two fearing the worst, just to get a mean little peep because I disturbed their weird slumber lol

Oh good to hear! The sleep is rough. I actually got 4 hours last night! (Night 3) The first two nights I maybe got two hours and checked iny them and fixed a minor pasty butt and basically sat with them all night while my husband had a great night sleep. I don't have kids so I feel like this is what it would be like and that doesn't sound fun at all haha

 

[Dsotto]

Accurate for Day 6? She is flapping and getting up and over the little roosting poles about 4" high in one go.

 

[sealer39]

Chicks will determine how much heat they want. As long as you have a heat source they can use if they need it you’re good.

 

[Punkybrewster]

They look their age give or take a couple days. Raise the heat lamp. Brooder temps for each week are just general instructions. Not all chicks follow this heat requirement

 

[rosemarythyme]

Everywhere says first week 90-95 or they will die. I have a WiFi thermometer in there and it alerts me if the temperature goes out of range (I also stole my husband's meat thermometer as a backup) so I panic and run in and fix it.

Cute names, I love it! They do look about 1-2 weeks.

So, I don't use a thermometer, I 100% go by chick behavior. They're telling you they're too hot, so try dropping the temps by about 5 degree and see how they do. If they still seem too hot, try another 5 degrees. The 90-95 degree thing is only a general guideline, chicks don't fall over dead if it hits 89 or something.

 

[Dsotto]

Cute names, I love it! They do look about 1-2 weeks.

So, I don't use a thermometer, I 100% go by chick behavior. They're telling you they're too hot, so try dropping the temps by about 5 degree and see how they do. If they still seem too hot, try another 5 degrees. The 90-95 degree thing is only a general guideline, chicks don't fall over dead if it hits 89 or something.

I didn't think they'd keel over but all my sources got me freaked! Thanks!! I moved it up and it's 85 and they're closer to it but still not under.