Checking in on day two...

[backdooreggs]

First timer here . I have had a bad run with temperatures and the brooder. When leaving the house yesterday we lost two chicks ( both day old seemed to have mobility issues .) When the sun hit the side of the brooder i think it got too hot . We're making due with a large, dark purple plastic tub until we can figure out something better. The heat lamp was originally at 18 inches but I think that was causing really high temps . Now they have been moved out of direct sun , the lamp raised and shifted to one side creating a bright and shaded name. All morning they've been all around, eating drinking etc . Now they are almost all on the dark side cuddled up sleeping. Should I worry that it's too hot again or are they just doing what they need to do , avoiding the direct heat for the time being ? The lamp is set pretty high now so I don't think it's blistering . I guess I a worried to leave . Any input ?

 

[rides2far]

You should get a thermometer. I used a plastic bin & they can get really hot. I ended up just using a 75 watt red bulb & it was all they needed. I didn't use the 250 watt heat lamp until I put them on the coop. When I used the heat lamp in the plastic tote it went up to 120 degrees very quickly. Way too hot.

 

[backdooreggs]

Is the incubator thermometer set standing up against the side of the tub a pretty accurate gauge ? That's what I've got in there now . Thanks for your feedback - but god I feel terrible .