TsBurks
In the Brooder
- Apr 14, 2021
- 21
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We’re using the same setup, kinda…I have two sets of chicks about 2-2.5 weeks apart. The youngest are now a week old and I had gotten a larger brooder setup so I decided to try to combined them. To my surprise they really combine quite successfully with the older chicks. The problem is the older chicks do not want to sleep under the heat plate and at their age they don’t really need to. So they pile into a corner and the babies follow their lead and join them. However, I’m worried this may not be enough heat for the babies. I’ve got some options I’m considering. It’s currently reading 74F in the house though my hydrometer/thermometer read 69F around where they slept.
1) I can let them be, knowing they are getting some warmth from the huddle and can go under the heat if cold (assuming they are smart enough to do that.)
2) I can separate them again even if it’s just for the night.
3) I have two heat plates in there. I can set one of the plates up as a heater that will add warmth to where they are choosing to sleep
What would you do? Normally I have them in a smaller enclosure in a warmer room so they stay warm enough even if they don’t sleep under the plate so I’ve never had to worry about this.
This is the new enclosure. I cover it at night. The circled area is where they are huddling to sleep.
we kinda have the same set up… Even down to the camouflage fabric coving it. (Need to turn my over so you can see fabric)!Thank you all. I let them be and they are all still doing great. I did have one or two decide to go under the heat at times the first couple of days but for the most part they just all huddled together.