brooder temp

[chickendoc]

Hi, I'm new to chickens, last mail order they all arrived dead. Expecting new shipment tomorrow. I am setting up the brooder and I know it's supposed to be 95 degrees, but is that on the "floor" or higher up? I have one of the big Tarter troughs that I got at TSC. I have 2 250w lights and 3 thermometers all giving different temps from 90 to 100. How important is it to get the temp exact and is it okay if there are cooler areas that the chicks may want to go to? Please help, I am so nervous, especially since the first shipment died before I even go them out of the post office. I am only getting 6 chicks 4 orpingtons and 2 rocks. I also plan on giving them poultry nutria drench when they arrive. Thanks in advance!

 

[five is my dog]

you dont need to worry so much!

i never even had a thermometer in my brooder ( you should still use one). just set in on the floor the temp should range from 90-95 the first week than decrees 5 degrees every week. keep decreasing until you reach 70 degrees. GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[chickendoc]

Thanks, I wasn't sure how critical it had to be.

 

[five is my dog]

not as critical as the incubator.

where did your dead chicks come from?

 

[mithious]

Just be careful you don't cook them either...it IS summer time, and ambient temps are pretty close to what they need...give the chicks plenty of space to move away from the heat if they need to and be prepared to go down a notch or two on the lamps...I only needed a 125watt heat lamp to get the 90 degrees or so, the first week, maybe a bit less!

Watch your chicks and they will tell you, huddled under heat lamp and peeping loudly, they are cold, slammed against the wall gasping, they are too hot.

They should be chirping, freely walking around the brooder box, eating, drinking, pooping and sleeping! Pretty much like a newborn baby LOL. Oh and they do sleep together.

Did you read where you have to dip their beaks into the water when you first get them? Also, and I just learned this trick, put paper towels over the shavings, and after you have dipped a few beaks, sprinkle some crumble on the paper towels, up to your feeder, so they know where the food and water is.

Last, enjoy your new chicks, as they grow oh so fast and won't be fluffy for long

Good Luck and congrats on your new chicks! Sorry your first experience was so horrible. Where did you order them from? Would be nice to know, so others don't have to go through that same experience!

 

[chickendoc]

Chickens for backyards, but they were really good about sending new chicks, and I am happy to say I just picked them up and all 6 are running around. I think the post office mishandled the first batch.