Brooder temp

[mcjessen]

Has anyone had any issues with keeping their brooder at a constant temperature?

I am using a Rubbermaid tote with a hardware cloth screen on top. The heat lamp is hung directly over a corner of the brooder and it's kept on the workbench in the garage. I do have a piece of cardboard available to put over a portion of the top of the brooder if needed. Last night when I went to bed the temp was 94 and this morning when I got up it was below 80. The chicks didn't look cold and but were sleeping together (not on top of each other just next to each other). They are five days old and seem fine so I'm not going to worry to much about it but I am having a hard time keeping the temperature constant. Just wondered if anyone had any advice.

Thanks

 

[FireTigeris]

Quote:
I did a hatch recently and never gave more then when they were wet- extra heat- so my chicks did fine at 75-78 after being complealy dry an on thier feet.

(I warmed the whole room the first two days to 80*F)

They were never in distress and moved outside after about a week and a half.

Now I live in FL, YMMV.

 

[Hoosierchickens]

Is your garage heated? If not, the temps are going to fluctuate. One thing that might help is to cover some of the mesh to prevent heat loss but don't block the heat lamp.

It's still too cold here. We were going to move the chicks out to the trough in the garage but ran into the same problems trying to get a consistent temp. The 3'x8' trough ended up in my den.

I've read of many chicken farmers who brood their chicks in their unheated barn with just heat lamps and they seem to do fine. I'm just a softie with my babies.

 

[KIDDSBANTAMS]

Mine always was cooler at night that is normal because the outside temps drop at night, but I never had my temps at 95 always lower, I do not believe it should be that hot. So many people end up cooking their chicks necause of too hot temps. I did 90 the first week and then after that anywhere from 80-85 and they did fine. They are outside in a small coop now with the heat lamp and it is much colder out there, but they love it and they grow faster and feather faster with the colder temps.

 

[mcjessen]

The garage is insulated but not heated. I do have a cover on the brooder I can adjust to heat up and cool off if needed. I guess I'll just eye ball it and base decisions on the chicks. They look happy and healthy so I'm not going to worry about it too much. Thanks everyone for responding.

Added: just checked on them again. They're out cold. They're so cute when they're sleeping. LOL!

 

[daydreamer92]

I'd base your heat decisions on the chicks. If they are in the "chick carpet", that's pretty normal. Cold chicks huddle and peep the loud "I'm unhappy!" peep. I've never seen cold chicks actually lay down; they stand hunched and crammed together.

 

[Judy]

I really feel the biggest danger is overheating. Yours sound perfectly fine. They are hardier than we think.

 

[mcjessen]

Thanks Dawn - I'm new at this and am discovering that they are hardier than I think. They're quieter than I expected too. LOL

 

[7L Farm]

I hate heat lamps. Brinsea is coming out with a brooder that can handle up to 50 chicks. It keeps constant temps & uses less energy. I'm definately getting one.