Day-olds Temperature Help!

[Tleefox]

Please help! I just got my day old chicks today. I decided to go with a thermo heated pad instead of a lamp. I have the pad fixed about 4 inches above the ground so they can huddle underneath. Problem is the temperature is only reading about 80° under there.
Should I move the pad to the ground so they can stand on it instead?
They are chirping a lot and I'm nervous they're cold.
Thanks for any advice!

 

[wamtazlady]

The chicks don't get warm under the pad exactly. They get warm by placing their backs against the pad. You might have the pad too high for day old chicks to do that. I usually have the pad higher in the front and lower in the back. That way each chick can find the temperature where they are most comfortable. Lower your pad and see if your chicks are happier.

 

[DobieLover]

Please help! I just got my day old chicks today. I decided to go with a thermo heated pad instead of a lamp. I have the pad fixed about 4 inches above the ground so they can huddle underneath. Problem is the temperature is only reading about 80° under there.
Should I move the pad to the ground so they can stand on it instead?
They are chirping a lot and I'm nervous they're cold.
Thanks for any advice!

Lower the height as mentioned or build up the bedding underneath so they can get closer to the heat.
Can you post a picture of the heating pad taken at the chicks level?

 

[K0k0shka]

Agree with slanting the pad so the front is taller than the back, but definitely make sure at least some of the pad is at the level of the chicks' backs when they are sitting down. Since they naturally want to sit/lie down when under heat (hen or pad), they will be spending their time under the pad sitting, so it's best to have their backs touch the pad when in that position vs. standing. But if the front is taller, they can move forward if they want to stand and still touch the heat. Mine prefer to sit so they scoot deeper in and snuggle in a sitting position with their backs up against the pad.

 

[Tleefox]

Lower the height as mentioned or build up the bedding underneath so they can get closer to the heat.
Can you post a picture of the heating pad taken at the chicks level?