Figuring out my chick's normal behaviour.

[NorwayBrahma]

Hi everyone! We just got two brahma chicks, 48 hours young
They were part of a batch of 16 eggs that we set in the incubator... I'm not sure if it was a malfunction of the machine, or the bumpy ride that the eggs got when we brought them, but only these two survived.
Anyway, they seem to be in good shape, I'm just not really sure if they're are doing what they're supposed to do for a two days old chick:
I have a heating plate, the one that resembles a mother hen. The room where the brooder is at, it's slightly cold so inside the brooder, away from the heating plate it's around 19 celcius. My concern is that this little ones barely leave from under the heater. I remove it for some minutes every now and then and encourage them to eat and drink, but it doesn't take long until they start begging for the heater to come back.
It's my first time ever having chicks and I would really appreciate some input on this... Thanks a lot!

 

[ValerieJ]

What temperature is it below the heat plate? That room might be too cold for them. I'm not really sure about that because my broody hen had her chicks out in the cold when they were a couple days old, but they could quickly get right back under her.

They need to be at 95-98 degrees under the heat and a little cooler outside it. Which brooder plate do you have?

 

[NorwayBrahma]

Well in F something like 87/88. I've realised that it's coming quite some cold from the floor under the brooder. I put some insulation material now so hopefully It'll get warmer. The heating plate is Comfort brand.

 

[ValerieJ]

That's too cool under the heating plate, so hopefully the insulation will help. If they aren't getting warm enough under the heat plate then they don't dare come out. The really need a lot of heat for the first week.

I tried one of those and sent it back. It didn't work for my chicks at all. So then I used a heat lamp until I could get a better heater. The way the comfort heater works is they have to actually touch it, but the one I got was too hot to the touch and burned the chick. The Sweeter Heater that I bought worked like a charm because it gives off radiant heat.

But, seriously, until this last batch, I have raised all my chicks under a heat lamp. I don't consider it a fire risk because I wire it up. It works like a charm because I can raise it or lower it to get the exact temperature I need for the chicks.

 

[NorwayBrahma]

Yes, that's what I considered... Go with the lamp, I have one of those ceramic that only gives heat. I'll check them later to see if the situation improves, otherwise the lamp will go in.

 

[ValerieJ]

Yes, that's what I considered... Go with the lamp, I have one of those ceramic that only gives heat. I'll check them later to see if the situation improves, otherwise the lamp will go in.

The ceramic is even safer. I wouldn't wait. I'd just get the heat up for them. At this age they can go fast.

 

[NorwayBrahma]

Alright, I'll get on with it then... It's midnight here and it will get colder...
Do you think I should leave the light on for them?

 

[ValerieJ]

The light doesn't matter, just the heat. In fact, if it's dark, they will sleep better. You need to get the heat on them and wait to make sure it is up to the proper temperature.

Did you check the temperature after putting in the insulation?

Sorry to keep you up so late!!! But, this heat thing is very important. How big is the brooder? Is there room to leave the little comfort heater in, and aim the heat lamp at another corner, all while leaving some space to get away from heat if they need to? And have they been in this brooder for 2 days or did you just bring them home today? Sorry if you answered this in the intro thread. I can go check that one.

 

[ValerieJ]

Okay, I just re-read your other thread and now I remember you hatched them out. I'm a little less worried since they have survived this brooder for 2 days now. I still think they need to have the warmer place in their brooder. In Farenheit the chart goes 98 for a week then reduce by 5-10 degrees a week until you get to 75 Farenheit. I don't know how to convert that to Celsius.

 

[NorwayBrahma]

Okay, I just re-read your other thread and now I remember you hatched them out. I'm a little less worried since they have survived this brooder for 2 days now. I still think they need to have the warmer place in their brooder. In Farenheit the chart goes 98 for a week then reduce by 5-10 degrees a week until you get to 75 Farenheit. I don't know how to convert that to Celsius.

No worries, I really appreciate your help
The brooder is not so big, so I removed the plate and put the lamp, so far the temperature is 76 f and rising. The chicks don't seem stressed, they're walking around chirping and pecking at stuff. I'll stay until the situation is controlled.