If they were cold.... if they were hot?

[Berritt]

I have 4 chicks, 3 weeks old in a rubbermaid tub with a heat lamp (250 watt red bulb in the feed store can)

They lived in a barn in a horse stall, and had a brooder, but they had a little door that they could come and go out of. And lots of them were in and out. It was about 60 degrees today.

So... I have the heat lamp above the tub in one corner. I am going to get a bigger area soon, anyway... the temp on the floor near the lamp is at 85 degrees. The chicks are in the other corner, but they are not panting or anything. They have been up and chirping, eating, drinking, sleeping.... they seem very well. If they were cold they'd go to the light, right? And if they were too hot, I'd know because they would be panting? They seem cozy in the spot they chose. Should I leave it as is? Or cool it a little and let them need the light?

This is my first time with chicks, and I am so nervous that I'll do something wrong!

Thanks for any help you may have!!

 

[gritsar]

Sounds like they have found their comfort zone. If they have the choice of being under the heat and getting away from it when they get too warm, they'll self-regulate.

 

[tnchickenut]

Ditto. Always give them a "cool" end and a "hot" end... that way they can come and go and self-regulate like previously mentioned.

If they huddle they are cold, if they pant and won't be near each other... they are hot... if they are all about - they are fine.

 

[Berritt]

So, when they are on the "cool end" they do huddle, but only when they're all going to sleep. When they aren't sleeping, they chirp and hop about. Once in a while one or 2 will go lay onder the lamp.

So it sounds good? Thank you for your replies. I am so nervous.. these precious little lives in my hands.

 

[nanawendy]

OH you've got it wired. All you need to do is ask, the experts help us newbies whenever possible. Also there are some great books out there. My fav is "Storey's Guide to Raising Chickens" by Gail Damerow It's a great resource as well.

 

[Berritt]

I have raising chickens for dummies, and "City Chicks" on the way from amazon. They are being so noisy right now, eating, and drinking and chirping.

Chirping is normal, right? They seem happy....

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
Chirping is perfectly normal. It's different from their "I'm in distress" peeps. Kinda hard to explain, but it's like with a baby that just wants to be held and the different cry when something is wrong, wet diaper, hungry, etc.
They will still snuggle up to sleep, even when at the correct temp., but it's not the piling up on top of each other, peeping loudly that you see when they are too cold. Hope that makes sense.