do i need a thermometer

[sydney13]

do you have to use a thermometer with chicks, because ive heard i dont need one soince you can tell if they are spread out enough that they are warm

 

[gritsar]

I use one just to ease my mind, but really rely on the chicks. Too hot and they are as far away from the heatlamp as possible, sometimes panting and holding their little wings away from their bodies. Too cold and they are bunched up under the heat source, usually peeping loudly.

 

[Laurajean]

I bought one and used it to get my brooder to 95 degrees, but have since discovered that it's really quite useless. It's VERY obvious how they're doing. They cuddle under the light if cold and avoid the light if too warm. They move around here and there when fine. All they do is poop on the thermometer. Also, I don't even have it at 95, it's at about 90 and they're fine. So you can get one as a guideline, but what you should pay more attention to is the chicks' behavior.

 

[teach1rusl]

I agree that the chicks' behavior is the main guideline...but it's still nice to have one available. If you find them all huddled under the lamp, wouldn't you want to know the temp under there to kind of judge what size bulb you might need to move to? I would want to know if they're avoiding the lamp because it's 105 degrees under there...or that I have very hardy chicks, because it's only 90 and they're avoiding the lamp. It's just nice to have handy "in case." Plus you can still use it when they transition to the coop. I keep one out there year round, but mostly observe it in winter and summer.