Brand new to the chicken world!

[Kilo129]

Hi, we just started our first flock of 7 last night! We're looking forward to learning from everyone and im sure we'll have tons of questions in the coming days. So far the only real issue is the heat lamp. I cant seem to get a consistent temp no matter how i move it. Before we added the chicks, i had a pretty consistent temp of 105 with the surrounding area staying at 95. Now, with the chicks added, it dropped to the mid 80s overnight. I readjusted the lamp and went out a little bit ago and the hot spot was 120! That was with a pretty minimal move too. Maybe an inch closer. Now i have it pointing to the wall of the container. Hopefully that helps to bring that hot spot temp down. We'll see!

 

[pennyJo1960]

Welcome to Backyard Chickens I have dumped heat lamps gone to heating pads no auto shut off on those easier temp setting keeping no fire hazard

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC.

Here are some helpful links:

• Great go-to resource - Articles
• Insightful feedback on how members manage their flocks - Topic of the Week back-catalogue

Best wishes

Pork Pie

 

[007Sean]

Howdy and Welcome to Backyard Chickens.

Thanks for joining our community!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

Temps in the brooder for week old should be around 85 to 88 degrees. Give them 1/2 to 1 square foot per chick in the brooder. Temp gauge on the floor beneath the heat lamp. Heat lamp one one far side, food and water on the other cooler side. Chicks need to have cool spots in the brooder to cool off, they can't regulate their body heat yet. So definitely a spot in the brooder without the heat blaring.

Check out this article on raising chicks for the first 6 weeks... https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/brooding-chicks-the-first-6-weeks.74640/

Good luck and welcome to our community!

 

[DobieLover]

Hello and welcome to BYC! Glad you joined.
I'd invest in a brooder plate.

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! Welcome to BYC! @TwoCrows gave you some great advice! We've all been there with the heat lamps. I used them for a few years, but now I love my Sweeter Heater. The lamps work fine, and you are on the right track aiming it at the wall instead of directly on them. That's what I do too.

 

[MGG]

Welcome to BYC!

 

[365username]

Hello and welcome to BYC, it has so much information on all types of animals. Your going to love it here! Do you have any pictures you can share?

 

[chrissynemetz]

Hi and welcome to BYC!! It's nice to meet you!! We would love to see pictures of your chicks if you want to share any!