Chicks going away from the heat source. Why?

[Ridgerunner]

Thank you for your detailed advice. Unfortunately the frame for the aquarium is plastic so the bulb will melt right through it, otherwise I'd happily have it the way NatJ advised. I've hung it slightly above the aquarium now to reduce the heat but was wondering if it's too high or too low. Thanks again for your advice!

Watch your chicks. They will let you know if they are cold or hot.

 

[Harun]

I in the past have kept chicks in cardboard boxes. Now I use a large plastic tub In the bathtub.

Watch your chicks. They will let you know if they are cold or hot.

Alright. I'll keep note of their mannerisms.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I in the past have kept chicks in cardboard boxes. Now I use a large plastic tub In the bathtub.

You can also use the bathtub itself. Fairly easy cleanup as long as you don't try to rinse anything down the drain!

 

[3KillerBs]

When I needed to reduce the wattage of my lamp for brooding outdoors in a North Carolina summer (they only needed heat at night), I bought reptile night bulbs at the pet store and even ended up taking the regular bulb out of my desk lamp for a week.

 

[Lemon-Drop]

You can also use the bathtub itself. Fairly easy cleanup as long as you don't try to rinse anything down the drain!

That’s a good idea! I guess I just think it would be a touch harder to clean. Usually I bring the bin outside and dump it in the compost pile.

 

[rosemarythyme]

That’s a good idea! I guess I just think it would be a touch harder to clean. Usually I bring the bin outside and dump it in the compost pile.

I lined mine with a few layers of paper towels, then shavings on top. Simply lifted the top layer of towels to toss, and put down a new layer and shavings.

Once it was completely cleaned out at the end, then a dish sponge and dish soap (and some elbow grease) got it all cleaned out for human use again.

 

[aart]

Here's my tips about chick heat:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/aarts-chick-heat-blurb.75619/

 

[RobHRN]

I in the past have kept chicks in cardboard boxes. Now I use a large plastic tub In the bathtub.

Sorry, I'm just a newb in this case. Can you add photos of bathtub and tubs? Just can't imagine how it looks and how it works
All the best
Rob

 

[Lemon-Drop]

This is the setup (currently housing three silkies)

The lamp hangs from the shower rod, which I moved to the middle so it was centered. The cord just wraps around the rod and then you can lower/raise the lamp as needed.

 

[3KillerBs]

This is the setup (currently housing three silkies)

The lamp hangs from the shower rod, which I moved to the middle so it was centered. The cord just wraps around the rod and then you can lower/raise the lamp as needed.

Better to put the heat lamp at the opposite end from the feed and water so that the chicks can decide how warm or cool they want to be.

You should have a good quality thermometer under the lamp so that you know how warm it is and can adjust the lamp to keep them at an appropriate temperature.

Too hot is just as dangerous as too cold.