Is the temp right?

[Ecto04]

In my brooder, the temp under the heat lamp is about 80. Around the outer edge, it’s typically 68 - 70. My chicks are just shy of 5 weeks old. They tend to hang around the cooler edge especially to sleep. Does the temp seem right? These are my first chicks. I have two buff Orpingtons and two Rhode Island Reds. Thanks!
Mary Beth

 

[The Phantom]

You could lower it a little

 

[Ecto04]

You could lower it a little

Thanks. I was wondering if lower might be better. The buffs seem to have feathered out more quickly than the RIRs. I’m guessing that’s a breed thing. Does another week or two inside sound right? They are quickly outgrowing the brooder (aka baby pool).

 

[The Phantom]

Thanks. I was wondering if lower might be better. The buffs seem to have feathered out more quickly than the RIRs. I’m guessing that’s a breed thing. Does another week or two inside sound right? They are quickly outgrowing the brooder (aka baby pool).

Yes probably depending on your weather.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

At 5 weeks that's actually quite on the warm side.....my babies are well off heat at that age

 

[Ecto04]

At 5 weeks that's actually quite on the warm side.....my babies are well off heat at that age

Thanks! I will raise the lamp one more notch for a few days and then try them without it. How will I know if it’s too cool? They tend to huddle together regardless of the temp.

 

[Trux]

Not sure where you are or where you are keeping them but at 5 weeks they should be ok without the lamp. Living in SoCal I have the luxury of putting mine outside at 10 days old. They get to keep the heat plate till they are 4 weeks old, but by that time they aren't sleeping anywhere near it.

 

[game chicken 1234]

In my brooder, the temp under the heat lamp is about 80. Around the outer edge, it’s typically 68 - 70. My chicks are just shy of 5 weeks old. They tend to hang around the cooler edge especially to sleep. Does the temp seem right? These are my first chicks. I have two buff Orpingtons and two Rhode Island Reds. Thanks!
Mary Beth

 

[game chicken 1234]

New born chicks temp 90-95 degrees, lower temp by 5 degrees per week until you reach outside temp and then remove heat. Hope this helps you.

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Not sure where you are or where you are keeping them but at 5 weeks they should be ok without the lamp. Living in SoCal I have the luxury of putting mine outside at 10 days old. They get to keep the heat plate till they are 4 weeks old, but by that time they aren't sleeping anywhere near it.

Not necessarily a luxury of So Cal, many of us brood put in the coop, using heat plates (or even better, the mama heat pad such as I use) from day one in places where the temps are routinely well below freezing. My chicks brooded thus self wean starting around 3 weeks and are done with the heat by 4