Brooder/heat question

[ginger c.]

Let me start with--Y'all are awesome. This is a great site and I appreciate how helpful everyone is.

We traded in the rubbermaid tub for a new one (55 gal). We have the heat lamp on one end. It was 95 and then got up to 98 on that end. The other end is noticeably cooler. The babies aren't screaming. When we check they are often on the cooler half or in the middle.

My question is:
Is this a good way to do it... with it warmer at one end so the chicks can choose the temp they want to be in?
Or should we do our best to make sure the whole thing is 95 degrees?

Thanks in advance,

DH

 

[Tikkijane]

Yes. You need to give them a place where they can go to get cooler if they need to, and then warmer under the light. You don't want the food and water under the light, though, because you could cook them while they are eating.

We have a thermostat controller to regulate the temp, backed up by another thermometer next to the sensor. I've got the light set at 92, because 95 was just too hot for them- they seem a lot happier at this temp.

Good luck!

Tikki

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yes. 98 is too hot because if ambient heat rises, it could easily get to 100. I'd raise it up or use a slightly lower wattage. Those tubs do hold heat well.

 

[ginger c.]

Thank you both.

We raised the light and the temp dropped to 94. They seem happy.
Thanks again.