How high must i raise the heat lamp.

[Mooocoow7]

I was wondering how high I'm supposed to raise the heat lamp. I keep raising it a inch or 2 but it isn't doing anything. Am I supposed to raise it significantly higher? There is 20 chicks and they are 11 days old.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Use a thermometer if necessary. I use an outside one and lay it under the light. Every brooder set up is different.

 

[Mooocoow7]

Use a thermometer if necessary. I use an outside one and lay it under the light. Every brooder set up is different.

I've been using one but its said the same temperature everytime I raise it.

 

[Tytsofie]

Thermometers can be finnicky. I’m a farm kid whos had chickens for 22 years and i’ve actually never used one (eek!!). A very important aspect of chick raising to me is reading their little body language because they will surely tell you a lot! If the chicks are going about their business (eating, drinking, playing, pecking around, sleeping) then the temperature is just right. If they are overheated they will all be on the opposite end of the brooder and visibly pant, you will see it. If they are cold they will stay huddled together directly under the lamp. I hope that helps.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I've been using one but its said the same temperature everytime I raise it.

How big is your brooder and what wattage is your bulb? I find the 250 watt bulbs too hot and hard to raise high enough. I use a 125 watt bulb, and my brooder is at least 3x6.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

125 watt or 250?
How high to raise it is a tough question to answer. That gets into how big and rms blah blah blah..
I've had to raise mine 8" + to get right temp but small space. What is the temperature?
As long as its above 95° should be ok. As long as the chicks dont act cold. If they huddle together they are cold, stay apart away they are warm. As long as its 95ish and they act ok I wouldn't worry. They should head to heat and warm up then head out to eat and play, warm up again.

 

[WhyDoILikeChickens]

You can find a helpful downloadable pdf here .
https://extension.unh.edu/resource/brooding-and-caring-chicks

 

[Mooocoow7]

Thermometers can be finnicky. I’m a farm kid whos had chickens for 22 years and i’ve actually never used one (eek!!). A very important aspect of chick raising to me is reading their little body language because they will surely tell you a lot! If the chicks are going about their business (eating, drinking, playing, pecking around, sleeping) then the temperature is just right. If they are overheated they will all be on the opposite end of the brooder and visibly pant, you will see it. If they are cold they will stay huddled together directly under the lamp. I hope that helps.

Thank you

 

[Mooocoow7]

How big is your brooder and what wattage is your bulb? I find the 250 watt bulbs too hot and hard to raise high enough. I use a 125 watt bulb, and my brooder is at least 3x6.

I used my bathtub for a brooder and have a 250 watt red bulb

 

[Mooocoow7]

125 watt or 250?
How high to raise it is a tough question to answer. That gets into how big and rms blah blah blah..
I've had to raise mine 8" + to get right temp but small space. What is the temperature?
As long as its above 95° should be ok. As long as the chicks dont act cold. If they huddle together they are cold, stay apart away they are warm. As long as its 95ish and they act ok I wouldn't worry. They should head to heat and warm up then head out to eat and play, warm up again.

250 watt.