I've got 24 one week old Cornish X in my 50 gallon water trough brooder. The brooder is in the tack room of my horse barn. (yes, I posted that I was considering brooding them In the garage this time, but I wimped out!). While the tack room is not climate controlled per se, it is insulated, so it actually stays at a reasonable temperature in the summer with the window open. I'd guess it is about 75 degrees. The past couple days have been unseasonably hot, so I've been checking the temperature in the brooder every couple hours. I've actually turned the brooder light off for several hours the past two days. Today was much cooler. Although the temperature in the brooder was only in the 80s, the chicks seemed to prefer napping on the end away from the light. One was panting, although everyone else seemed cool enough. Should I even bother having the light on anymore? I don't want them to get a chill, especially since they like to lie in the water they spill out of their waterers. On the other hand, I know these freakizoids overheat easily; and they seem plenty warm even at a temperature 10 degrees lower than recommended for chicks their age. Next couple days are to be in the 80s or 90s. Can I just can the brooder light?
I would, but I'm not the super experienced that some on here are. I put mine outside, with shelter but no light, at 1 1/2 weeks old. 40 degree nights 50 - 60 degree days. I lost 4 out of 25 the rest are ready to butcher next week. I would do the same next time. My friend got 15 from the same batch, she kept them in for WEEKS and babied the poo out of them, she has 8 left. More than temperature, I think ventilation is the key with these birds.
I started with 48 and am down to 47 at 6 weeks. I let them outside at 2 weeks and the only reason I believe I lost one was due to dehydration(my well pump went and I had a heck of a time trying to keep them watered). I started turning the brooder lights when the day time temps were hitting 75-80 ish range. When I let them outside at 2 weeks I would leave the lights on for them in the coop and they could come in if they were cold. I agree that ventilation is key especially at the 3-4 week stage when they start loosing their fuzz, my coop was a dust bowl after they all lost the fuzz. Dont worry so much about getting the temp perfect, etc. See if they seem healthy/content and make adjustments based on their behavior. Good luck and have fun!
That other post cracked me up I forgot what I was going to say. Sounds like you are doing a good job with the observations you made. Manage your flock. Fluctuate with the weather. If they look cold turn the light back on. It is obvious you would have done that without my two cents.
