Got 20 chicks yesterday from the farm store in a box brooder in the garage with red-bulb heat lamp going(for now:wanting to use heat plates soon but they were used to the lamp). First of all, these chicks don't seem very smart compared to my past time of brooding. Some will stand directly under the lamp and pant with wings out, so I move them away to get a drink and they go right back under. While a few were standing directly under panting and coming back repeatedly, others were huddled/heaped away from it but only on one side of the brooder. (so not as far away as they could get)
I fiddled with that heat lamp all day yesterday as first they were panting, then when I moved it up a tiny bit they puddled/heaped under it. I don't have a thermometer, but I don't think it would matter as it was 18" to start with and they were way too hot.
I finally have them happier as of last night, but it's 75 for the high today, with a 32 degree low tonight. Do you all move the lamp lower at night or just leave it where it is?
Also, unrelated question; have you ever had feisty chicks that peck anytime you reach in?! I tried a new breed after research (Saphhire Gems, supposed to be docile and friendly), and they are all kind of like that. Jab at me when I'm refreshing water, or feed. They also peck the other breeds if they get near them. I'm hoping it was just that they were in different containers and need to get used to the other chicks? The Buff Orpington chicks are just as sweet as can be.
I fiddled with that heat lamp all day yesterday as first they were panting, then when I moved it up a tiny bit they puddled/heaped under it. I don't have a thermometer, but I don't think it would matter as it was 18" to start with and they were way too hot.
I finally have them happier as of last night, but it's 75 for the high today, with a 32 degree low tonight. Do you all move the lamp lower at night or just leave it where it is?
Also, unrelated question; have you ever had feisty chicks that peck anytime you reach in?! I tried a new breed after research (Saphhire Gems, supposed to be docile and friendly), and they are all kind of like that. Jab at me when I'm refreshing water, or feed. They also peck the other breeds if they get near them. I'm hoping it was just that they were in different containers and need to get used to the other chicks? The Buff Orpington chicks are just as sweet as can be.
