Hot brooder but chicks still under the light

[mystprism]

I've read that it's more reliable to look at chick behavior than a thermometer to see if the brooder is too hot. That said, my thermometer is reading at just over 100 degrees on the wall of the brooder (light is in the center) and my chicks are still huddled underneath it. There's plenty of room for them to roam away if they want. What gives?

 

[Joeschooks]

I wouldn’t be overly concerned. The chicks will regulate themselves and move away if they’re too hot. I assume they’re only a few days old?

 

[mystprism]

I wouldn’t be overly concerned. The chicks will regulate themselves and move away if they’re too hot. I assume they’re only a few days old?

Yeah. They were listed as "day old" last Friday so about 5 days now.

 

[featheredplanets]

If they’re huddling underneath it all the time, they’re likely too cold. It’s best to take temperature at chick height under the lamp, when using a heat lamp I always aim for the chicks to be resting where the heat lamp “light” ends, so maybe 5-6 inches away from directly underneath.

 

[aart]

Welcome to BYC!
Are they active and eating and drinking...or just huddled?
What exactly are you feeding?
Plain water easily accessed?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Can you post a pic of your setup? There may be other reasons they are congregating in that area.