Brooder temperature regulation

[Softie]

OK, it is 91 directly under the lamp and 81 on the other side. Is this OK? Maybe I am worrying too much about this but I really want these 2 chicks to do well--my kids are counting on me!

Thank you.

 

[ruth]

Hi Softie - welcome to BYC and the wonderful world of raising chickens. My advice - relax and have fun.

I don't use a thermometer and have never used anything higher than a 75 watt regular white bulb in a clamp (dome) light. What I do is put it at one end of the brooder box and watch. If they huddle directly under it and stay there, they are too cold - move it closer to box. If they are as far away from it as they can get and especially panting, move the light higher. It is important that they have both room to get under light if they get cold and room to get away from it if they get hot.

Simple as that. You learn more by watching the chicks than anything. I'm the odd egg on here who puts my two week olds outside in pen while night temps are still in low 50s with the same low wattage light and let them free range during the day if temps are at least 70 and sunny with no light. They feather out faster, are healthier and happier. I have some that were hatched in summer and they've never seen a light in their lives and none of the 5 batches I've raised have gotten a light past 4 weeks old.

I know this advice goes against all the books but I try and raise mine as close to natural as possible - the way a mama hen would - and mine have total free range of our farm from 4 weeks on. Never lost a chick - never had a sick chick using this method.