Brooder thermometer

[Alex S]

Does any thermometer work as a brooder thermometer? How much space per chick in the brooder?

 

[rosemarythyme]

I actually don't use a thermometer (though I recommend one... do as I say not as I do) but I imagine any would work. If using a heating pad or plate keep in mind that they do NOT heat the air, so do not expect to get an increase in air temperature from them.

Space for chicks: the general rule I've seen on here is 1/2 sq ft per chick up to around 2 weeks, 1 sq ft up to 4 weeks, 2 sq ft by 8 weeks. Personally... I think general recommendation is on the small side, so if you have more room than that that'd be great. I start at 2 sq ft per bird but I only raise small groups (3-4 chicks) so I have the room to be more generous at the start, without risk of chicks wandering too far from their heat pad.

 

[Alex S]

I actually don't use a thermometer (though I recommend one... do as I say not as I do) but I imagine any would work. If using a heating pad or plate keep in mind that they do NOT heat the air, so do not expect to get an increase in air temperature from them.

Space for chicks: the general rule I've seen on here is 1/2 sq ft per chick up to around 2 weeks, 1 sq ft up to 4 weeks, 2 sq ft by 8 weeks. Personally... I think general recommendation is on the small side, so if you have more room than that that'd be great. I start at 2 sq ft per bird but I only raise small groups (3-4 chicks) so I have the room to be more generous at the start, without risk of chicks wandering too far from their heat pad.

I'm using a cozy coop heater from amazon. Very good to know the sqft because I have lots of plastic bins that fit the sizing. I can send you my brooder supplies if you want

 

[rosemarythyme]

I can send you my brooder supplies if you want

I think I've seen it on another thread? If I recall it was all pretty standard stuff, feeder, waterer, bedding, grit. Did you add anything new to the list other than the heating plate?

 

[Alex S]

I think I've seen it on another thread? If I recall it was all pretty standard stuff, feeder, waterer, bedding, grit. Did you add anything new to the list other than the heating plate?

No. but something that makes me mad is that tsc had great prices... but terrible shipping. I guess I could do curbside pickup.

 

[Alex S]

No. but something that makes me mad is that tsc had great prices... but terrible shipping. I guess I could do curbside pickup.

Oh wait there's a feed store 20 min from here! Nevermind!

 

[heather134]

I'm bumping this thread because I have the same question but response wan't clear - when using a heat lamp can you use any basic thermometer? Is it just to check the heat periodically or does it need to be a glass thermometer that can be viewed at all times?


I know a lot of people just watch the chicks but I don't trust our untapped chick knowledge for that.

 

[Happy Helper]

I just put my Acurite thermometer on one end of the brooder, usually on the end where the heat lamp is overhead. I don't think it is completely accurate but I just want a ballpark idea of the temperature in the brooder. Any thermometer should do but I do like the digital ones because they are easier to read at a glance.

 

[aart]

I'm bumping this thread because I have the same question but response wan't clear - when using a heat lamp can you use any basic thermometer? Is it just to check the heat periodically or does it need to be a glass thermometer that can be viewed at all times?


I know a lot of people just watch the chicks but I don't trust our untapped chick knowledge for that.

Yes you can use any basic thermometer.
Not sure I'd leave the thermometer in there, will get covered with poop, I find the infrared easy to use.
But here's some basics on heating a brooder with a lamp:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/