Having trouble with temp control

[christinasn00]

Hi. I just got 15 baby chicks this morning. I’ve been playing with our heat lamp for a few days for the temp under the bulb (250 watt) to 95 degrees. So we turned it off and turned it on when I got confirmation they were on their way. I’ve gotten each one to drink so then I added the food. They have all been eating well also. It’s cool here today in the 60’s with 10-15 mph winds. I have the brooder inside my chicken coop outside. They seem to be running around going from food to water to the other side and back however I haven’t had chicks before. The last chickens I got were feathered out and I didn’t have to watch them as close. I’ve been in here with them for 3 hrs now working on the lamp cause it will go up to 110 I move it back up and little and the it goes back down. The current temp right now is 95 degrees. Is it normal for them to crowd together occasionally and then run around? Thanks for any advice and help. I’m excited to grow my flock. Just want to make sure I’m doing everything correct from what I’ve read so far.

 

[ColoradoPip]

It sounds like you are doing things right. You want them so huddle together under the lamp (like they would under momma's wing) then venture out once they're warm, and repeat. As long as they are eating, drinking, sleeping, running, kicking, scratching, and behaving like chicks, then you are doing a good job

Also, be sure there are no drafts on them.

 

[christinasn00]

It sounds like you are doing things right. You want them so huddle together under the lamp (like they would under momma's wing) then venture out once they're warm, and repeat. As long as they are eating, drinking, sleeping, running, kicking, scratching, and behaving like chicks, then you are doing a good job

Also, be sure there are no drafts on them.

Thanks you I appreciate it! Enjoying watching them can’t wait to see them grow

 

[aart]

Sounds pretty good, make sure your lamp is triple secured.

Here's my notes on chick heat, hope something in there might help:

They need to be pretty warm(~85-90F on the brooder floor right under the lamp and 10-20 degrees cooler at the other end of brooder) for the first day or two, especially if they have been shipped, until they get to eating, drinking and moving around well. But after that it's best to keep them as cool as possible for optimal feather growth and quicker acclimation to outside temps. A lot of chick illnesses are attributed to too warm of a brooder. I do think it's a good idea to use a thermometer on the floor of the brooder to check the temps, especially when new at brooding, later I still use it but more out of curiosity than need.

The best indicator of heat levels is to watch their behavior:
-If they are huddled/piled up right under the lamp and cheeping very loudly, they are too cold.
-If they are spread out on the absolute edges of the brooder as far from the lamp as possible, panting and/or cheeping very loudly, they are too hot.
-If they sleep around the edge of the lamp calmly just next to each other and spend time running all around the brooder they are juuuust right!

The lamp is best at one end of the brooder with food/water at the other cooler end of the brooder, so they can get away from the heat or be under it as needed. Wattage of 'heat' bulb depends on size of brooder and ambient temperature of room brooder is in. Regular incandescent bulbs can be used, you might not need a 'heat bulb'. If you do use a heat bulb make sure it's specifically for poultry, some heat bulbs for food have teflon coatings that can kill birds. You can get red colored incandescent bulbs at a reptile supply source. A dimmer extension cord is an excellent way to adjust the output of the bulb to change the heat without changing the height of the lamp.

 

[GC-Raptor]

I use a plug in dimmer with the heat lamp. No more moving up and down.
This is the one I use.

I have two, got my first at Wal-Mart and the second from Amazon. It's rated for 300 watts. I use it with a 250 watt bulb.

GC

 

[aart]

No more moving up and down.

Sooo handy!!
Wasn't sure they'd work with a real heat bulb, glad to know they do.