Heat question

[Tikkijane]

So, my chicks are home a day early- was supposed to get them tomorrow morning, but they let me get them today.

We have an auto thermostat to help keeps things from getting too hot. As far as I know, they are a day old. They are just fluff; no wing feathers coming in yet.

I have a single buff orpington out of the 6, and it seems to me when she gets too hot, instead of moving to the shaded end, she just plops down all spread out. At this point, we're keeping it at 95, but have lowered to 92 because of they way they are acting. The first time she flopped, I turned the light off and within a few minutes, she perked right up. I have not seen any of the other chicks do this and hey are not huddling together. Overall, they are very active and are all drinking and eating. I've had them now for 2 hours.

Is it too hot? How will I know if it's a problem for her if she doesn't move to the shaded end of the brooder?

TIA!

Tikki, worried mama

 

[PunkinPeep]

Since you've had them for two hours, i should let you know that baby chicks tend to flop over asleep, and wake up and flit around, even in ideal temperature.

Different breeds have different personalities, so it might just be that your buff orp is more docile than the others.

As to temperature, i have always let the chicks tell me. I keep the lamp at one end, or in some position that allows them to huddle underneath it or get far away from it. If they're always trying to stay away, they're too hot . . . and so forth. Here in Texas, in the warmer months, i don't think i have ever kept a lamp on them for more than two weeks. And that is way different from what the books tell you.

So use your gut and just enjoy watching your chicks and learning they're cute behaviors. They'll tell you when something is up much of the time.

Also, congratulations on your new flock!

 

[Tikkijane]

*nods* I think it's just the way she flops that has me worried, because none of the others have done that, although they have taken a few rests. They are also all plowing over the top of her, but she is still eating and drinking. Gonna be a long night, lol.

We've been hot already- over 90 today, but cooler inside, of course. And I couldn't find anything less than 250 watts. !!!

Tikki