I have my brooder all set up, ready to get chicks on Saturday. Bought a thermometer this morning to test the heat lamp, but I can't get the temps in the brooder higher than 81 or so! It's just a standard heat lamp and red bulb, and a digital thermometer. My brooder is a rubbermaid-type plastic tub (only getting 3 chicks). I cut away most of the lid and replaced it with bird netting, for ventilation. Started off with the lamp several inches up from the netting, then right above it, then I took that metal guard off the lamp and put it as close to the netting as possible, which resulted in low-eighties. (I'm measuring the temp at the bottom of the brooder, since that's where the chicks will be.) Do I need to take the lid off and actually put the lamp inside in order to get to the 90's, or am I doing something else wrong? It's such a small brooder that I really didn't think that would be necessary!
If I do take the lid off, how long until they'll be able to scramble/ fly out? When they start getting feathers?
If I do take the lid off, how long until they'll be able to scramble/ fly out? When they start getting feathers?