Just ordered my first chicks

[Chris623]

Okay, newbie here. Probably the same questions that have been asked by a million newbies prior to me.

Just ordered my chicks. I've got my tub ready. Have a chick water dispenser and feeder. I've got the compressed pine shavings and a thermometer, along with the clamp on reflector and heat lamp. But I bought the heat lamp a while back, thinking I'd order the chicks much earlier in the season. Now we are looking at heat indexes in the three-digit range. I can't seem to find a definitive answer to what temperature to start and how much to lower each day or week, or whatever? They will be in my closed garage until I put them in their new coop. ( https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=202254 ) Will they be too warm in the closed garage?

 

[Iceblink]

Do you know the average temp in your garage? If it is above 90, it may very well be too hot. You might try using a CFL bulb for light, as it won't put out as much heat.

When your chicks arrive, watch how they behave. If they huddle, they are cold, if they spread their wings out and pant, they are too hot. I might put a fan blowing in the general direction of their tub, but not directly in or on it. You don't want it drafty.

Good luck with your new babies, the first time is always so fun and nerve wracking.

 

[Chris623]

Oh, I'm certain it's above 90.............it was 101 degrees in the shade here today and a closed garage is much warmer. Any suggestions other than just a fan?

 

[Chris623]

Okay, no responses in almost 18 hours. So let me ask this question:

Would it be wiser to put them in an air conditioned environment, like my woodworking shop, (I could set the A/C on 80 degrees) and control the temp with the heat lamp in their container to 90 degrees to start with?

 

[RendonRoo]

That would be better. They need to start between 90 and 95 the first week. Lower it by 5 degrees a week. With these temps. you should be able to put them in the coop in about 3 weeks. Good Luck and hope this helps. Welcome to chicks and BYC

 

[Chris623]

THANKS! It does! Okay, 5 degrees a week. I didn't know exactly what it was.

 

[cybercat]

Chris go to the learning section here on BYC. That will answer alot of you questions. For others use the search and do it by topic. There is alot of information here and many questions have been answered a zillion times. Research is your friend.

 

[cochinbantam-lover]

Yeppers that is a good tool, type in any word that pertains to your questions, click search and you'll have all the info you need!

 

[DiVon80]

Quote:
Use just a 60 watt bulb for the light, in the beginning you want them to eat and drink all day and night. 90 and 100 degrees will keep them warm enough.

 

[Chris623]

Quote:
Sorry..........didn't notice the Learning Center. I'll give that a try.

I hardly ever find answers when I'm doing a search. Some people know how to use the search function and some don't! I never know the right question to ask it!