moving chicks to larger brooder-how to warm it?

[Tapsmom]

HI,
I am brand new to chickens and this board. I have 6 chicks that are now about 2 weeks old and I am thinking that they need to be moved to a larger area. They are currently in a Guinea pig cage (the ones with the plastic bottom and coated wire tops). I have a brooder lamp set above it and it is wrapped around the outside with a towel. It is plenty warm, (about 90 degrees) but I am concerned that they need more space.
We cleaned out the large pen that I used to use when I bred guinea pigs and I have lined it with shavings and we wrapped a flannel blanket arounf the outside and some card board. The pen is 2 feet by 3 feet and about 18 inches deep. It has a wooden bottom and a thin wood strip that comes up about 6 inches. The upper part is a wire mesh. My husband reconstructed the top for me so it has hinged lids on either side and a strip of wire mesh across the middle so the heat lamp will get through. Now, here is the problem. I currently have one brooder lamp in the box because I want to make sure I can get it warm enough before I move the chicks. I am assuming I will need 2 lamps, so the one in there now is the one I picked up at TSC on my way home tonight, However, I have only been able to get the temperature up to about 75 degrees. What suggestions might everyone have for ways to further insulate the box?
I am trying to learn everything that I can. Luckily, there are quite a few people around that have chickens and I have a friend who raises them and said that this board was a wonderful resource. I have already learned quite a bit in the few days I've been registered here. Thanks in advance

 

[donrae]

A 2x3 pen only needs one lamp. Overheating causes more chick deaths than cooler temps, imho. You can block the wire sides of the cage with cardboard, that will help keep the temp up. You really don't need to "preheat" the new cage, chicks really can stand being at room temp for a while. Hen-raised babies spend a fair amount of time out from under momma.
Okay, just re-read your post and you've used cardboard. How strong is your heat bulb? The temp only needs to be warm directly under the bulb, not the entire cage. Put your thermometer right under the bulb and check. Plus, by two weeks, they can be down to eighty degrees or so.

 

[Judy]

Yup, one is plenty for six chicks.

 

[Tapsmom]

Thank you very much for your quick responses. I wasn't sure if the whole thing needed to be as high as 90 degrees or just an area. I did move the thermometer and it was getting to about 90 about a foot away from the lamp. I had read that they would start fighting if they didn't have enough room so I was worried that they were getting crowded in the current cage. There seems to be lots of chirping and flapping going on, but then they get quiet. When I check in on them they are happily passed out side by side. How would I know if they need more room? They are 3 buff Orpingtons, 1 Production Red, 1 Wyondatte, and 1 Americuana. (supposedly all pullets)
I think I'll wait until tomorrow to move them. I'd feel much better if I didn't move them right before I went to bed..and I'll go unplug the light and stop preheating..and running up my electric bill LOL.

 

[Momagain1]

just that area under the lamp...