Brooder Heat Warning :( *updated*

[LovinMyPeeps]

I had a problem with my 1 gallon waterer and it decided to leak and drain all over the greco portable crib I was using as my brooder. In order for the bottom (which as most of you know is padded) to dry I needed to remove and dispose of all the shavings and let it sit, so i decided to use my huge 56 gal rubbermade tote as a temporary brooder for my 6 four week olds.

So I set up the tote, moved the girls and went to bed. This morning when I woke one of my chanteclers was lethargic, weak and felt extremely warm to the touch. As a nurse my first thought was heat exhaustion. The playpen has much better ventilation and more room. I scooped her up, started slowly cooling her off and made her drink cool water (not cold as I did not want to shock her). I was able to let her rest on my chest and she came around with much watering and cooling. Now 2 hours later she is up to her old self eating and drinking. I still set her up her own box to prevent the others from stressing her. I was SO worried I was going to lose her as she's my "baby" the one that always wants to be held and is super sweet. I guess this rant is just to reinforce ventilation is key.
I am starting her on PolyVite without iron for a bit to get her back up to speed and no none of the others seem effected nor are they any reasons to think cocci though I may treat with corid or s-met just incase even though she bounced back with treatment for heat exhaustion. The brooder was far too warm

 

[baldie]

Wow, that is scary!! I am glad that all the chickies are okay!! Thanks for the warning!!

 

[NJbirdlover]

I am not an expert of any kind mind you, but I have set up my brooder in anticipation of my chicks coming in May. I am using a large rubbermaid tote. Awhile back someone mentioned that a 250w bulb was too much for their tote so I bought a red 75w bulb to try. Within 10 minutes the temp had risen to 100 and stayed around that temp. When my chicks come, I will raise the lamp a bit to lower the temp and will hope for the best.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

I had raised the light considerably (almost double) in anticipation of that and it STILL wasn't enough. I would be so horrified if I had intentionally "cooked" one of my chicks! I love my babies

I thought that putting the light way up high was enough... boy was I wrong!

I should add that the brooder lamp is only on one side/corner of the tote and was all night... still not enough ventilation...

 

[flopshot]

unlike an incubator's need for consistant temps in a brooder the size of the bulb is not as important as the ability of the chick to enter and leave the warmer zones. i kept my 24" high 250 aimed at one corner and it worked fine. of course, under no circmumstance should any portion of the brooder be allowed to become hot.

 

[chickenhick]

Quote:
I use a rubbermaid bin with a 75 watt bulb and my babies are happy as can be. They stay near the light, but they don't huddle or peep loudly like they are cold. I keep it at one end and the food and water at the other end. Works out well. If they are too hot or cold they will definitely let you know. I think my brooder stays at around 80 degrees, which sounds a little cool, but its working great. Good luck!!!

 

[~*Sweet Cheeks*~]

I'm glad she's ok.

I've been one of those worry wort newbies that had two thermometors in my brooder in different locations as well as two 250 watt red heat lamps at differing heights so the chicks could choose the area they liked AND in case one burned out. (I did have one burn out early at 630 hrs - suppose to last 6000). Feed store credited me AND gave me a new one.

I know lots of folks here don't bother to use a thermometor but rather watch what the chicks are doing but for me, I wanted to know what the temp was at all times.

 

[LovinMyPeeps]

Thank goodness she's ok! No more lethargy or problems all day she's eating and drinking fine. I am so relieved

My little girl