Do I have a drafty brooder? Help!

[Otesanik]

Yo, this is my first time hatching quail eggs! Can someone tell me if the chicks placement says I have a drafty brooder? Or is it too hot?

The chicks are all on the right, against the side of the box. How do I fix this? Is my lamp placement incorrect?

 

[NatJ]

Probably too hot.

I think the bulb is too big (makes too much heat) for that size box.

Can you add another box, to make it longer? Cut the end out of each box, and tape the cut parts together to make a long box.

You could raise the heat lamp to make it cooler, but it will heat such a large area that the box will be all one temperature. It's best to have a warm end and a cool end in the brooder, so the chicks can move around to get comfortable.

Or do you have a lower-wattage bulb? (To make less heat.)

 

[bluemtnwmn]

I would raise your light a few inches and point it more toward the left side of the box. If your chicks move away from the right side of the box, they were too hot with your current set up. Keep adjusting until they are moving easily between the lighted area and the darker area in the box.

 

[Otesanik]

Probably too hot.

I think the bulb is too big (makes too much heat) for that size box.

Can you add another box, to make it longer? Cut the end out of each box, and tape the cut parts together to make a long box.

You could raise the heat lamp to make it cooler, but it will heat such a large area that the box will be all one temperature. It's best to have a warm end and a cool end in the brooder, so the chicks can move around to get comfortable.

Or do you have a lower-wattage bulb? (To make less heat.)

Yeah I could cut the boxes and attach them together. I don’t have a lower wattage bulb...

Here’s an update of where they’re sitting now.

Still too hot or???

 

[NatJ]

That looks a lot better. So you're probably fine

 

[Otesanik]

I would raise your light a few inches and point it more toward the left side of the box. If your chicks move away from the right side of the box, they were too hot with your current set up. Keep adjusting until they are moving easily between the lighted area and the darker area in the box.

Thanks for the input. Thoughts on the updated picture?

 

[bluemtnwmn]

Yeah I could cut the boxes and attach them together. I don’t have a lower wattage bulb...

Here’s an update of where they’re sitting now. View attachment 2202007

Still too hot or???

That looks much better! I'm assuming you don't have a thermometer, it's ok some people never use them (I didn't), so you did exactly what you should and noticed their behavior. They'll let you know if they more heat by huddling under the light or are too hot as you noticed. A bigger box is always helpful if you have the space for it. My brooder was taped together pieces of a huge tv box and it worked very well!

 

[Otesanik]

That looks much better! I'm assuming you don't have a thermometer, it's ok some people never use them (I didn't), so you did exactly what you should and noticed their behavior. They'll let you know if they more heat by huddling under the light or are too hot as you noticed. A bigger box is always helpful if you have the space for it. My brooder was taped together pieces of a huge tv box and it worked very well!

Nope, no thermometer on me. I’ll get one ASAP though! Probably in the next few days. Thanks! I’ll keep everyone updated!