How to test temp in brooder

[FlewTheCoop]

This may seem like a bit of a silly question, but when testing the temp in the brooder, is it best to put the thermometer directly under the lamp, or elsewhere? I have a large cardboard box for a brooder with an open top. I am in the South where it's quite warm. The temp directly under the light is over 100 degrees. Is this ok as long as the chicks have plenty of room to move away from the heat? Please let me know what you think.

(By the way, it is already in the mid 70s here).

 

[bargain]

Hi, I'm in the south and be careful of that cardboard box! Hubby made a wooden one. We put a long professional cooking thermoeter through the wire on the top and move it around several times so we can be sure that there are some cooler places away from the heat lamp where they can go. We have to check it several times during the day. If I had smaller hatches, I would do what I saw at a feed and seed - it was the modification of a plastic dog carrier with a heat lamp in the back of it and the baby chicks could move to the front of this.

Well I hope this helps. Also I would think that it's important to know the heat at chick level and periodically we leave a digital springfield thermometer (batter operated) with a kick stand at their level to check what it is at their level.

Have a blessed evening

 

[horsejody]

I put a thermometer probe on the floor directly under the light. For the first week that area should be about 95 degrees. Reduce the temp by 5 degees every week.

 

[debakadeb]

I try to test the temp at the level of the chicken -- so as babies, the floor is best. I have a plastic brooder. My husband drilled a hole that I could place teh thermometer in and see the temp without taking it out...without chicks pooping on it, etc. Worked pretty good.

You can also tell when your chicks try to get as close to the heat as possible, huddling together, it isn't warm enough. If they are trying to get away from the heat, then it's too warm.