Brooder heat/light question.

[franko]

Eighty to ninety will work if your brooder is big enough. I use a red heat bulb. Some say it will keep the pecking down. They will seek there own comfort level. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to keep it at the exact temp. I got seventeen two day olds, in yesterday and they are moving up close to the lamp and then they back off all day long. Eating, drinking, pooping scurrying around and sleeping I'm going to put a small tree limb in next week so they can perch and play. I look at there eyes for a sign that they are getting sick or some other problem. One quick suggestion, keep there butts clean or the pecking will start. This batch seems to be more active than any I have had. You are in for a lot of fun. Good luck. Franko

 

[FuzzyButtsFarm]

I use a 75 wt. Black light bulb. With a computer fan under the big silver shade. Works like a tiny heater and doesn't keep them up all nicht. But then my brooder is in he house. I moved them to the brooder stall in the barn yesterday and they did fine last night with two 75 wt. lamps. It went down to 50 last night.

 

[fifelakelooper]

Quote:
I HAVE been going "nuts"!! The chicks are in basement...up, down, up ,down...good workout! Thanks for the reassurance.

 

[fifelakelooper]

Fred's Hens :

Quote:
North Michigan here too! I have always put my chicks in the basement...it is about 60 in there...so is heated. I hang a 250 heat lamp from the rafters and it is a yearly hassle for me. Thinking of going with a temperature control switch...I have a hard time getting the temps where they recommend. I just put two day old chicks there last night...suppose to be 95 degrees there but seems I get 90 or 100 and can't get 95!!! I have a 4' wide by 8' long box with a smaller cardboard ring inside for the first few days. So far...the chicks seem to stay on the outer edge of the heat even though it says 90 on the thermometer.

Greetings from Beaver Creek, just to your east.

I only brood in March/April and again in September/October. I use the garage (unheated) in spring and the barn (unheated) in fall.
I never achieve nor desire 95 and neither do the chicks. 90 is plenty. I've never lost a chick (knock on wood).
By week two, they spend much of their time out in 50 degree ambient air nearby the heat circle.
By week three, they spend half their time in farther away, in 40 degree ambient air, only coming into the circle (which is now 80 degrees) for naps.

I only keep rugged, cold hearty breeds. Those with blood lines of various Rocks, RIR, Sex Links etc. They were made in and for our climate. I keep no tropical varieties nor any bantams. The 45th Parallel is no place for sissies!!

PS My barn is unheated in the winter as well. They thrive and lay well all winter.​

You are right...no place for sissies here in the snowbelt! I'm going to relax a little on the temp...I get a little OCD sometimes with my chicks! This year I am going with Orpingtons and Jersey Giants. Good hearty winter bearing breeds!!

 

[brahmapapa]

see my post NO MORE EXPENSIVE HEAT LAMPS IN MY BROODER BY brahmapapa