while building my chix tractor my table saw motor went bad. New saw required. So the large cardboard box that the saw came in is now my brooder.( So I got the chicks earlier then planned). I have it in the shed with a step latter over it, a 2x4 across the latter legs holds the lamps ( using two reg. 8" clamp on lamps, one with 100w and the other with a 40 watt bulb)one lamp at one end and the other lamp at the far end of the box. I drilled two holes in each reflector and with "s" hooks and jack chain suspended the lamps. I use two cheap thermometers, one in each end of the box.
The temp. range has been from the low 80's to about 96. The chicks don't seem to care if the temp is in the mid 80's or low 90's. However when the temp gets near 98, they lay down on the bedding not moving much, so I turn off one of the lamps. I find that when one end is around 91 and the other end is around 85, they will congregate at the lower temp end. They have never huddled or piled up, generally they are spread out from one end to the other. they have never made a lot of noise like they are uncomfortable either hot or cold. Here, near Ocala Fl. we've had several days of 90 degree weather, and the shed temp it about 87, so I turn the lamps off. they seem to like it around the high 80's. when its in the mid 90's they don't move around much. I worry about them in the early morning and the temp has dropped to around 60, and Tue. it's supposed to get down to 52. So in the morning I turn both lamps for a few hours until the shed warms up. so far so good, they are 5 days old. eating and drinking .
Not so sure that temp in the 90's is all that critical, my chicks seem to prefer temp in the mid to high 80's. When the temp is in the mid 90's they eem to get lackadaisical and lay on their bellies.
so now i'm worried abut the temp this summer in the chix tractor, I put a thermometer in there yesterday and the temp was in the high 90's and the tractor is in the shade while I'm working on it. I have air vents low and high. maybe a fan on the high vent to help exhaust the hot air.
My great Danes are very curious about them; they will look down into the brooder box and stare at them, supervised of course.
Sorry for the run on..and..on and..on