How have you all done it? We spent almost an hour today getting the temp right on the new housing for the babies. down to 86 and suddenly up to 101 - I was getting so frustrated I started to cry and my DH said they are supposed to make you happy not stress you out! Now I'm wondering how I'm going to lower this each week without losing my mind!? I bought a cheap heat lamp - mistake #1. I bought 250 watt bulb - mistake #2. 125 watt bulb - #3 we are now down to a 55 watt grow lamp bulb in their and the temps at 96. Anyone know of a digital lamp? I'm planning on doing this again and if it's not too expensive I might invest in one.
Just raise the lamp up a couple of inches or so. The chicks will still adjust to what is comfy for them. Are they inside your house or outside in a garage or shed? Summer here is hot enough in the daytime, I wouldn't be needing a lamp on during the day, just at night. Of course, if your chicks are in the house and you have AC, then you will have to adjust to keep them comfy. :aww
I start out with a 100 w bulb with the large rim thingie. Then I start moving the bulb back and then the next week I went to a 75 w bulb and then this week I will go to a 60 w bulb. The chicks will move around to adjust their body temp. It's fun don't stress! jackie
Once I get an initial temp, I dont even worry about it. If the babies are cold, they will move close to the lamp, if they are hot they will move away. Just give them space to be able to do both! Enjoy!
Ditto the others. After the first day, I didn't even bother checking the temp. I have the lamp clamped to a chair leg that I can just move closer or farther from the door of the kennel I have them in. and I'd just check on the chicks. If they were all huddled right up next to the door, I knew I had to move it closer. If they were all in the way back, I knew it was too hot so I'd move the chair back an inch or so. When they were in the middle of the kennel walking around and playing, I knew it was just right. It's amazing how fast they would react too..within moments!
When we have babies I put my heat lamp on a chain hanging over the brooder. When we noticed the babies too warm we raise it up a couple of links. Too coool then we lower it. In the evening ESPECIALLY in early spring we always have to lower it. Some people set the lamp up and let the chicks move in and out at will as needed to heat and cool themselves. My brooder is about 3 x 4 ft and I don't mind moving the lamp to adjust the temp.
Yeah, thats a funny thing. It's like you ask for a heat light and you get this 250 W red lamp ment for like 100 chicks brooded outside in the spring. I have never used one! I just use a 100 W bulb and have it on a dimmer switch. I hang it over one side of the brooder and let the chicks choose where to go. If nobody spends time under the light, I just use the dimmer or switch to a 60W, 45 W or 15 W fluorescent light. Good luck! Let the chicks make you smile!! That's what they are for!
I decided to put a themometer in my brooder with my new baby silkies... Wow it was 102 degrees (this rubbermaid tub was shorter than the others) So I raised the light and it's down to 98. It's amazing how much perkier they are! I was baking them!!! The are eating and drinking more. I will probably put a 75 w bulb in so I can clip it back to the tub. jackie