HI and help HOT weather and brooding new chicks soon

[ShannonLee]

Hello EVERYONE!
1st Thank you for taking the time to read this post out of the many out there.
I have our very first set of 6 chicks coming next week! We are all very excited. However I have one worry. It is hot and humid here in eastern NC. I have the lamp in place but the temp tested the brooder gets over 100 degrees (105). I can place the heat lamp higher, but I am worried about it still being too hot for the chicks. So my question is should I leave the lamp on but place it higher and have a fan cirulate air in garage (not blowing on chicks), or leave the lamp off? it stays about 85 -90 in the garage.
They will be in the garage away from the other pets (one busy 12 month old dog) until he is trained around the new babies.
ANY advice is appreciated, I know after about 2 weeks that we wont need the heat lamp but it is the 1st two weeks I am worried about I really dont want chicken nuggets.

 

[Cynthia12]

What are the babies going to be kept in? Don't use a heat lamp. Use a light bulb. I just had chicks hatch, right now, I have a 100 W. bulb in with them. I have them in a pretty large tub..but will be changing the bulb down to a 75 soon. You can tell how they are tolerating the heat of the lamp by where they stay. Or, if they are panting..of course, too hot. If they are staying/laying around or right under the light, they are comfortable. If they are .. standing..and chirping nervously, they are chilled. No reason for a heat lamp right now..warm enough. Here is a photo of my babies yesterday. They finished up hatching yesterday. I have another white one in there now.



They ran to the corner when I started clicking away. Silly babies. Good luck, and yes, I would say a garage is a great place for them, with a low Watt bulb..then again, according to how big the bin is and how they are acting with it. Have fun with your new babies!!

 

[ShannonLee]

thank you! I didnt even think of changing the bulb! Ugh. I am keeping them in a plastic tub with a hardwire (handmade) top. Great Pics BTW!!!

 

[Roland Deschain]

Congrats on your first chicks! We use a red 100w bulb.we keep it really warm the first week( mid 90's)then gradually move the light further away.just like Cynthia12 said,you'll know if they're comfortable by how they act. Good luck!

 

[Roland Deschain]

Sorry,actually 150watt bulb

 

[ShannonLee]

Thank You!

 

[drumstick diva]

 

[BantamFan4Life]

Welcome to BYC! I'm glad you joined us!

 

[ShannonLee]

Thank you Big Time Chicken Guy!

 

[Blooie]

Welcome! I don't use a lamp at all....haven't in some time. Check out Mama Heating Pad in the Brooder. It's far easier to maintain healthy warmth without overheating. I also brood my chicks outside in the run, even when it's in the teens and twenties out there. They just run under if they need a quick warm-up or get spooked. Doesn't heat the entire area, just the chicks, and they simply thrive. They determine their comfort. You just sit back and watch them grow!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/956958/mama-heating-pad-in-the-brooder-picture-heavy-update