Heat on Chicks

[Waterwitch232]

So I just got some little chicks one is maybe a little under a week old the other four are just days old so they are about half the size. Now I have a heat lamp on them and there are two boxes one “hot” and one “cool” there’s a hole so they can jump in between. I have it at about 90-95 and I see that the older chick is panting, but the little un’s are fine. They are hanging around the bigger one for warmth even. I need some advice on what to do, to keep them all comfortable.

 

[Teila]

Hey there Waterwitch232

I have no experience with chicks in a brooder as all my hatches have been under a broody hen. However, I did want to point you in the direction of this thread which might solve your issues: Mama Heating Pad Thread

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have you seen the bigger chick using the tunnel to the cool box? Maybe it doesn't remember how to use the tunnel, or doesn't realize it's there.

 

[Rooster G]

If possible, I would use a larger box, and have heat lamp concentrated on one end.

 

[AZBootsie]

Heating lamps are just so hard to control the temp with. I have an old brinsea brood warmer (warming tray chicks crawl under) that I have used for years and it's great. More of an electric hen idea. Brinsea is a little pricey. but, I have seen other brands out there recently that are much more affordable. I have had good results with a heating pad over a little chicken wire frame, similar to the one in the thread that Waterwitch232 linked to.

 

[Harmony Fowl]

I suspect the older chick doesn’t know how to escape the heat also. Maybe a larger hole, more like a doorway? Also make sure the cool area is not dark. My chicks are always hesitant to enter dark spaces, no matter what food or warmth or shelter lies within.

 

[chickens really]

Set it up so the heat lamp only heats part of the Brooder so the older chick can find his comfort zone..I place feed and water out of the heat and the place they sleep is the warmest...

 

[Waterwitch232]

He/she has gone in and out of the boxes. I do want to invest in one of those little plastic brooders instead of the heat lamps, just haven’t done so yet. That may just fix all my issues.