Brooder temp?

[debsman]

I have built a brooder box from plywood. It measures 4ft long 2 ft wide and 2ft tall. It is in a non heated room. Under the heat lamp which is a 250 watt infra red bulb the temp gets up to 99 degrees plus. About 12 inches from center of the light it is between 85 - 90. The light is on one end of the brooder box. Is this ok?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I always set the temperature directly under the light at 85-90. I also use a 125 watt bulb as I find the 250 too hot.

 

[SueT]

Agree with above. And you need to devise a way to decrease the temp as they grow, so you can wean them from it at 3-4 weeks....

 

[treefarmer42]

Sounds perfect to me but I always do the following:
Check the location of the chicks when they rest. If they are under the center of the heat source and up against each other then it is to high above them. ( they are needing more heat) so lower it. If they are 12 inches or more from the center then raise it, to hot.

 

[bobbi-j]

If you don't have your chicks in it yet, set your light so it's around 90 under the light. That's a starting point. I also watch my chicks to see if they are comfortable. It's good that the light is at one end of the box so they can get out of the heat if needed.

 

[debsman]

Thanks every body. I appreciate it