I sold some of my eggs to a bee farmer and when I went over to check on them they were in a big plastic storage bin that was almost the size- width and not quite the length of the bathtub he had it sitting in. And that was for a dozen chicks. They all made it! Yeah! He had 4 roos out of the dozen.
And a shop light with a clamp with the 250 watt heat lamp and thermometer to monitor heat. That only lasted so long, they started jumping out of the bath tub eventually.
He was modifying an area in his barn for them but they were growing faster then he was building and with 150 hives and it being honey season...he was a busy man.
They hatched out on Easter. So I've been told you should make their spot ready for 3 days and check the temp. at diff. times of the day/night so you can adjust accordinly.
Say in the day, I had mine outside, I only needed 2 lamps on but at night I needed to turn all 6 on. But I had 46 chicks and a big space to heat. But you see what I mean. Then I needed to raise my lamps higher as the day temp. soared until I didn't need any more lamps on at all.
If they are huddled--too cold.
If they are at one side--draft.
If they are scattered about--some sleeping, drinking, eating--all is happy in chick land.
me,
g
