Hello

[Gammies Chicks]

Hi Everyone. I am new at this raise chicks thing and am having some problems.
My chicks are young between 2 days to 2 weeks. It is cold here in Central Illinois so we have them inside under a heat lamp.
They are all crowding around one area in the corner...worst part, we have lost about 10 total so far.
Any Suggestions on what to do? When can they be outside?

 

[sourland]

Are they crowding in the corner by the heat lamp? If so they are chilled. If they are crowding away from the heat lamp, they are too hot. Housing two day olds with two week olds can result in the smaller chicks getting trampled and smothered.

 

[Gammies Chicks]

They are curled up outside the heating area. We have them in the garage with the heat set on about 75-80 and the heat light on 85-90. Is that to hot?

 

[drumstick diva]

It all depends on how hot the temperature is at chick height - not what a lamp is set for. Put a thermometer on the brooder floor under the heat lamp.. I agree with Sourland the older chickens could be trampling the babies. They should be separate - chicks grow fast but the younger ones will be considerably smaller.

2 day old chicks should have a temp. of 95 degrees Two week chicks probably 10 degrees less. So the itty bitties are really suffering.

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC - you have some great advice already so I'll just say hello!

All the best
CT