Brooder temp question

[georgiapumpkin]

My baby chicks are 2 weeks old now. I started them off at 90 temp. for the first week. Then I went down to 85. I have the big 250 watt red bulb and now I can't go up any further with it. They have always stayed all around the brooder sleeping and eating and playing. Never showed they are uncomfortable.
I put a regular 60 watt bulb in today and it shows it's been around 70 degrees all day. They aren't under the lamp but towards the corner mostly and scattered around. They seem happy.
Should I stick with the precise guidelines for the temp that they should be at each week? Or leave them alone since they don't seem too hot or too cold?
Just really confused about what I should do.

 

[Awiegand21]

I never use a thermometer to measure the temp in my brooders. The best thing is to do what you seem to be doing already. Go by what the chickens tell you. If they aren't sleeping directly under the lamp or reaching up to it they are fine. If they are too hot they will hug the farthest wall and pant.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Don't worry about the temperature guidelines. They're just that, a general guide. Your chicks are telling you they're just fine without the higher temperatures.

 

[georgiapumpkin]

Don't worry about the temperature guidelines. They're just that, a general guide. Your chicks are telling you they're just fine without the higher temperatures.

Thanks
That makes me feel a lot better.

 

[2Old2Crow]

My only question would be what is the nighttime temp? I went thru this, and changed the bulbs a lot until I got it figured out. If the brooder is in a place like the garage, and ur still having cold nights, that 60 watt bulb wont do the job. BTW, how many chicks are we talking about?

 

[georgiapumpkin]

My only question would be what is the nighttime temp? I went thru this, and changed the bulbs a lot until I got it figured out. If the brooder is in a place like the garage, and ur still having cold nights, that 60 watt bulb wont do the job. BTW, how many chicks are we talking about?

There in the garage and I have 16. It's really warm in the garage.

 

[georgiapumpkin]

My only question would be what is the nighttime temp? I went thru this, and changed the bulbs a lot until I got it figured out. If the brooder is in a place like the garage, and ur still having cold nights, that 60 watt bulb wont do the job. BTW, how many chicks are we talking about?

Oh and it's been in the 60's at night lately since I've had them.

 

[2Old2Crow]

They can huddle. Might be a little chilly...…...at 2 weeks 85-90 degrees would be optimal. I have a thermometer, but I just watch the chicks and see where they sleep.

 

[georgiapumpkin]

They can huddle. Might be a little chilly...…...at 2 weeks 85-90 degrees would be optimal. I have a thermometer, but I just watch the chicks and see where they sleep.

Last time I checked it was 72 degrees and they were in a corner and here and there but not under the lamp. Eating and drinking and jumping around and playing. Seem happy

 

[georgiapumpkin]

Well, there definitely happy. Just checked again and there all bee bopping around. Scratching and playing