How do I know if chicks are cold or hot?

[CityFolk]

I don't have a thermometer so I can't tell how warm it is. I am keeing the room 75 degrees and then I have a heat lamp over half of their box. They seem to huddle on the side that is darker. Does that mean they are too hot? Thanks.

Sorry, wrong section.

 

[Ridgerunner]

They are too hot. Either raise the lamp or use a bulb with less wattage. When they are hot, they get as far away as they can. When they are cold they huddle up under the lamp. When they are comfortable, they roam around.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

What ridgerunner said.

If your heat lamp is covering half the brooder box, try moving it to one end, that way if they get to hot they can move farther away from the heat lamp.

 

[CityFolk]

Thanks for the advice, I moved it up about a foot and to the side more and they seem to be happily peeping and wandering around now.

 

[gumpsgirl]

They are to hot. Try raising the heat lamp.

The chicks themselves are more accurate than a thermometer, so if you just watch them, you'll know whether or not they are to hot or to cold.