I'm hoping for some advice. Don't know if we are over reacting being new to this. We have week old chicks, I am using a plastic bin that we use at work for fresh fruit shipments to the plant. It is 45"w x 45"w x 28" h, with a plastic cover that I have cut a hole for the heat lamp and another hole for ventilation and viewing the chicks, this hole is roughly 30"x17". I am using a red 250 W bulb for the heat. The brooder is set in a sunroom facing South, has a shingled roof no insulation, but 3 glass walls that are windows that open. I was home yesterday, it was a partly sunny day with temp's here in the mid 50's to lo 60's. I went out and noticed that the temp in the brooder had pegged at 125 under the light, and the chicks (24 of them) had all moved to the far side which was cooler. according to the electronic thermomator I had in the room, that temp got up to 104. I shut off the heat lamp and opened a few windows to vent the room. I have since bought curtains for the windows to block direct sunlight coming into the room. As of right now at 8:50 am it is 67 in the sunroom. Here is my question, I bought a second brooder lamp yesterday and put a standard 100 W bulb in it. I'm thinking of opening up a couple of windows before I leave for work ( The room is elevated being on a slope, about 7 - 8' off of ground level and the windows are screened), Putting timers on the two lamps one to have the 250 w shutoff at around 8 am and the 100 w come on at the same time when it will be a sunny day and warm. Right now with the room at 70, directly under the 100 w bulb is 85 - 90. Will this work until someone get's home at around 2:30 each day, and can turn the 250 w on if needed? I don't want to keep the 250 on and cook the chicks, but I also don't want to freeze them out. I know this is lengthy but I'm trying to get the whole picture out there. I stayed home today to track temps, since it is sunny. There is a photo of the brooder on my BYC page. Thanks, K2
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