I am finding out that chicks really do not need that much extra heat. If they are dry, and have enough feed and water, and wind protection, much sooner than I at first expected, chicks can maintain themselves in quite cool temperatures.
They do not need a constant heat or temperature. They do better to have much colder temps and then warm up, than kept at a constant temperature. You do not need a thermometer, you need a pair of ears. Chicks that are doing just fine, peep occasionally. Chicks that are too cold, peep madly. If they are not peeping madly, they are doing just fine.
I do not have a good size brooder... and now I think that is a good thing, cause I got mine outside yesterday. Last night, it got down to 36 degrees. They are not fully feathered out, but had no trouble. They had a huddle box with an insulated top. And they were outside basking in the sun and fresh air this morning just fine.
I think it is good for them to be outside in sun and fresh air, verses inside a cramped area, not enough exercise with too much poo, stale air and artificial heat. Each of us has to do this our own way, but it might be helpful to know that you don't need to keep them under the heat lamp for weeks and weeks.
I got my chicks on Friday April 6th, I assume that they hatched Wednesday and were shipped Thursday, so they were 16 days old yesterday. I did have 10 chicks, and as another poster mentioned, having a few more of them, might make it easier to work.
I did get meat chicks on the same day, but they grew so fast, they went outside when they were 8 days old. My run areas have an outdoor shelter, and the coops have wooly hens... but they are just healthier looking, more active and robust. Today all are basking in the sun.
Jus a different option, but healthy vigorous chicks are stronger than you think.
Mrs K
They do not need a constant heat or temperature. They do better to have much colder temps and then warm up, than kept at a constant temperature. You do not need a thermometer, you need a pair of ears. Chicks that are doing just fine, peep occasionally. Chicks that are too cold, peep madly. If they are not peeping madly, they are doing just fine.
I do not have a good size brooder... and now I think that is a good thing, cause I got mine outside yesterday. Last night, it got down to 36 degrees. They are not fully feathered out, but had no trouble. They had a huddle box with an insulated top. And they were outside basking in the sun and fresh air this morning just fine.
I think it is good for them to be outside in sun and fresh air, verses inside a cramped area, not enough exercise with too much poo, stale air and artificial heat. Each of us has to do this our own way, but it might be helpful to know that you don't need to keep them under the heat lamp for weeks and weeks.
I got my chicks on Friday April 6th, I assume that they hatched Wednesday and were shipped Thursday, so they were 16 days old yesterday. I did have 10 chicks, and as another poster mentioned, having a few more of them, might make it easier to work.
I did get meat chicks on the same day, but they grew so fast, they went outside when they were 8 days old. My run areas have an outdoor shelter, and the coops have wooly hens... but they are just healthier looking, more active and robust. Today all are basking in the sun.
Jus a different option, but healthy vigorous chicks are stronger than you think.
Mrs K