Brooder heating in garage question

[cyn n]

I just took home my 2 week old chicks yesterday. I set up their brooder in a large storage bin with a heat lamp on a stand in my garage. California weather is mild right now.

I read they should be a good 85 degrees in there. Last night i adjusted the lamp to an exact 86 degrees (according to the thermometer). This morning it was a toasty 50 degrees out--checked the brooder and it was a nice 70ish with happy, eating chicks.

A few mins ago I went in there (its about 75 degrees out) and the thermometer read a whooping 100!!! I freaked out and moved the lamp. They still look chirpy and happy.

How do you keep the temp regulated? Ive raised my tortoise since a hatchling with heat requirements but he LOVED the heat.

I may move them into my big wire dog crate to see if it helps. Ill try to attach pics.

Thanks for any info!

 

[Heavnlydove]

I used a mama hen heating pad (search on this site for instructions) for my chicks. Its great because they can chose If they want under, on top or away from the heat.

 

[JaeG]

As long as they have the space to get away from the heat they should be fine. But it is a challenge to keep the temperature stable in the brooder when the room temperature fluctuates. A dog crate isn't ideal for a brooder as chicks are affected by any drafts so I'd leave them in the solid sided bin. A crate could also mean too much heat could be lost when the outside temperature falls.

 

[Heavnlydove]

Yes. That too. I use a storage bin with a hole in the lid and hardware cloth covering the hole.

 

[lazy gardener]

If you have them in a plastic tote, that could be a lot of your problem. They hold the heat, and are simply too small to manage well, as you have found out. I will never use a heat lamp again, especially in combination with a plastic tote. I almost killed a batch of chicks with that combination in spite of consistent temps, and frequently checking the brooder temps. I call the tote/heat lamp an easy bake oven.

MHP all the way for me!!!

If you continue with your present set up, I urge you to get a large appliance box, and use that as your brooder.

 

[cyn n]

Thanks--yes I started to feel like they were in an oven. I ended up moving them to the crate. Got some bullentin board borders from the dollar store and taped up the sides to help with breezes. I also attached the storage bin on one side to keep it from drafts. Its now 85 degrees in the garage so the lamp is off.

For now I may just turn it on when the temp drops in the evening. As you can see, they seem to love it!

 

[lazy gardener]

Much, MUCH, MUCH better!

 

[cyn n]

Much, MUCH, MUCH better!

Thank you!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Are you using a 250 watt bulb? They are too hot. I prefer a 125 watt bulb. The heat from them is more reasonable.

 

[cyn n]

Are you using a 250 watt bulb? They are too hot. I prefer a 125 watt bulb. The heat from them is more reasonable.

Can I use the 125 red bulbs meant for reptiles?