Brooder Temperature

[KWestVA]

Would somebody check math??

I read this great article that has been my instruction manual, and my chicks are doing great!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/

So if I'm understanding correctly, the brooder temp should be as follows.
Week 1: 90°
Week 2: 85°
Week 3: 80°
Week 4: 75° (Starting 06/11/25)
Therefore, since I keep the temp in my home between 72°-75° and the outdoor temp should be consistently 80°+ by Week 4, does that mean I no longer need any "artificial" heating (e.g. heat lamp) at that point?
Thanks!

 

[nuthatched]

I use a heating pad cave. I lower it by 10 degrees every week. Most find those temps too high

 

[KWestVA]

I use a heating pad cave. I lower it by 10 degrees every week. Most find those temps too high

Thanks!!

 

[rosemarythyme]

A lot of us don't abide by that. I also use a heating pad and it's "warm enough" to the touch to start and that's good enough. The ambient temperature of the brooder space itself can be anywhere from high 60s to very low 40s. The chicks decide if they want heat or not by going under the heating pad.

By around 2 weeks they use the heat very little when awake - they'll tuck themselves under it to nap but otherwise are out and about outside. I wean them off heat around 4-5 weeks, so that gives you a more realistic idea of what lows they can tolerate at that age if they're given the ability to regulate their temperature.

 

[KWestVA]

A lot of us don't abide by that. I also use a heating pad and it's "warm enough" to the touch to start and that's good enough. The ambient temperature of the brooder space itself can be anywhere from high 60s to very low 40s. The chicks decide if they want heat or not by going under the heating pad.

By around 2 weeks they use the heat very little when awake - they'll tuck themselves under it to nap but otherwise are out and about outside. I wean them off heat around 4-5 weeks, so that gives you a more realistic idea of what lows they can tolerate at that age if they're given the ability to regulate their temperature.

Thank you very much! I've been stressing about the temp because my heating pad + lamp were only getting it to 75°-80°, so I was supplementing with a space heater, in contravention of most safety guidelines. It will be such a relief to stop using that thing!

 

[KtheChickenGal]

Would somebody check math??

I read this great article that has been my instruction manual, and my chicks are doing great!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...first-60-days-of-raising-baby-chickens.47691/

So if I'm understanding correctly, the brooder temp should be as follows.
Week 1: 90°
Week 2: 85°
Week 3: 80°
Week 4: 75° (Starting 06/11/25)
Therefore, since I keep the temp in my home between 72°-75° and the outdoor temp should be consistently 80°+ by Week 4, does that mean I no longer need any "artificial" heating (e.g. heat lamp) at that point?
Thanks!

I sorta followed those temps, but mostly just watched the chicks and adjusted according to their body language and how they acted.